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Maeve AI and Reclaim named top startups at Shoptalk Europe 2026
Two startups took center stage in Barcelona last week, winning the Shoptalk Europe 2026 pitch competition with technologies designed to solve persistent retail headaches. Maeve AI and Reclaim outperformed their peers by tackling two of the industry’s most expensive hurdles: the staggering rate of fashion returns and the complexities of circularity.
Why Instagram Growth in 2026 Demands Algorithmic Momentum
Growing an audience on Instagram has shifted from a test of creative quality to a race for immediate algorithmic recognition. With organic reach stalling, creators are increasingly turning to engagement acceleration strategies to ensure their content secures the initial traction necessary to break through the platform's visibility barriers.
The Psychology of Social Proof: Why Follower Counts Still Drive Sales
In the fast-paced environment of Instagram, users rarely conduct deep analysis before forming an opinion; instead, they rely on split-second visual cues. A profile's follower count serves as the primary metric for perceived authority, functioning as a silent signal that dictates whether a potential customer will trust a brand enough to purchase.
Retail Tech Weekly: From Autonomous Delivery to High Street Turnarounds
Autonomous delivery provider Starship Technologies is pivoting away from US university campuses to prioritize grocery and hot food sectors, joining a wave of industry shifts that include high-stakes retail restructuring and large-scale autonomous freight deployments across the United States.
Brendan Witcher joins Hyve Group to lead Shoptalk product strategy
After a 12-year tenure as a prominent analyst at Forrester, Brendan Witcher has been appointed Global VP of Product and Content for Shoptalk and Groceryshop. The move marks a significant pivot for the industry veteran, who will now oversee content strategy for the Hyve Group’s extensive retail event portfolio.
Ikea UK turns surplus fruit into juice to spotlight food waste
Ikea UK is launching a limited-edition apple juice brand dubbed Great British Bin Juice, crafted entirely from surplus fruit. The initiative serves as a tangible centerpiece for the retailer’s broader strategy to combat food waste, combining playful product marketing with data-driven kitchen technology and consumer education workshops.
Shoptalk Europe 2026: Moving AI from Hype to Retail Reality
Artificial intelligence is shedding its boardroom buzzword status to take center stage at Shoptalk Europe 2026, where industry leaders gather in Barcelona to focus on practical, large-scale application. The event shifts the conversation from theoretical potential to the immediate, gritty challenges of deploying technology in a fragmented global market.
DRESSX and Depop launch AI-powered virtual styling for resale fashion
At New York’s Governors Ball, DRESSX and Depop debuted an AI-driven virtual try-on experience that allows users to mix and match 300 curated resale items in real time. The collaboration marks a shift in how digital fashion tools are applied, moving beyond studio-shot luxury catalogs into the world of peer-to-peer commerce.
Amazon rolls out football storefront ahead of 2026 World Cup
Amazon has debuted its Summer of Football storefront, positioning the platform as a centralized hub for tournament merchandise as anticipation builds for the 2026 World Cup. The launch coincides with an aggressive expansion of the retailer’s micro-fulfillment network, aimed at securing rapid delivery for fans across the United Kingdom.
Merchantee secures €1.8 million to automate European marketplace sales
Scaling e-commerce on European marketplaces requires thousands of daily adjustments to pricing and promotions, a task that often overwhelms human teams. Merchantee, an agentic intelligence startup, has raised €1.8 million to automate these processes and level the playing field for brands competing against retail giants.
Pennies Expands Advisory Roster with Retail and Hospitality Leaders
The micro-donation charity Pennies has bolstered its strategic leadership by appointing a cohort of industry veterans to its advisory boards and ambassador program. The new recruits, spanning sectors from cinema to fast-food retail, aim to accelerate the integration of digital giving options into modern consumer payment journeys.
Rachelle Denton Leaves Lego to Lead Jellycat Social Strategy
After five and a half years steering social media strategy at the Lego Group, Rachelle Denton has shifted her focus to the world of plush collectibles. Denton steps into the role of Global Head of Social Media at the British soft toy brand Jellycat, where she will oversee the company's digital growth.
Jean-Aymeri de Magistris takes CIO post at Joseph Ribkoff
After seven and a half years overseeing technology and data operations at Psycho Bunny, Jean-Aymeri de Magistris has moved to the womenswear sector. He joins Montreal-based Joseph Ribkoff as Chief Information Officer, marking a significant leadership transition for the apparel brand.
Matt Taylor moves to Kyndryl as UKI Chief Delivery Officer
After a tenure as Chief Technology Officer of Global Managed Services at NCC Group, Matt Taylor has transitioned to Kyndryl. He now takes on the role of UKI Chief Delivery Officer, tasked with overseeing the transformation and execution of the IT infrastructure giant’s diverse service lines across the region.
East of England Co-op eliminates network downtime across 200 sites
Failover times that once stretched to 90 seconds are now instantaneous for the East of England Co-op. By deploying Transaction Network Services (TNS) Secure SD-WAN across 200 locations, the retailer has replaced a fragmented, unreliable infrastructure with a unified, resilient network designed to support seamless point-of-sale transactions.
Chris Tyau departs Walmart Connect as retail media matures
After six years helping transform Walmart Connect from a fledgling incubator project into an advertising powerhouse, product marketing specialist Chris Tyau has announced his departure. His exit marks a transition point for retail media, a sector that has evolved from a corporate buzzword into a cornerstone of brand investment.
Kingfisher expands Core IQ data platform to B&Q stores
Kingfisher has rolled out its proprietary data-sharing platform, Core IQ, across B&Q locations following initial deployments at Castorama and Brico Dépôt. Developed alongside Converteo, the tool provides vendors with real-time access to granular performance metrics, aiming to streamline supply chain collaboration and sharpen retail media strategies.
The Raley's Companies Expands Retail Media Footprint with Grocery TV
The Raley's Companies has launched a new in-store retail media network, partnering with Grocery TV to integrate digital advertising across 208 locations. The rollout spans the retailer's diverse banners in California, Arizona, and Nevada, aiming to digitize the physical shopping experience while scaling advertiser demand rapidly.
ASICS and Runners Need sync for London Marathon retail campaign
Capitalizing on the 2026 London Marathon, ASICS teamed up with the Cotswold Outdoor Group’s Runners Need to deploy a full-funnel retail media strategy. The collaboration aimed to capture high-intent runners, blending digital visibility with physical store presence to push the Gel Nimbus franchise during the high-profile sporting event.
Fynd Founder Sreeraman Mohan Girija on Scaling AI-Driven Retail
Sreeraman Mohan Girija, founder of Mumbai-based Fynd, is steering his AI-native commerce firm into European markets following a decade of rapid expansion across India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. The company, which recently secured an RTIH AI in Retail Award, is now targeting a 2026 launch for its London headquarters.
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VenHub Aims to Automate the Future of Retail
Shahan Ohanessian, founder of VenHub, describes his company’s smart store as the result of a vending machine marrying a retail shop. Operating as a fully autonomous, sealed unit, the system utilizes robotic arms to fulfill customer orders, aiming to eliminate traditional retail challenges like shrinkage and staffing costs.
Melissa Moore joins 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards judging panel
Retail trainer and podcast host Melissa Moore has been appointed to the judging panel for the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards. Bringing over 27 years of industry experience, Moore joins a diverse group of experts tasked with evaluating global technological advancements in the omnichannel retail sector.
Melissa Moore on the retail tech essentials that actually matter
After 27 years in the industry, retail educator Melissa Moore argues that the most transformative technology is rarely the flashiest. While AI-driven back-office tools and mobile payments have reshaped the sector, she insists the humble barcode remains the true foundation of modern commerce, far outperforming buzzy concepts like cashierless stores.
Walmart’s Astha Purohit on the Future of Retail AI
For Dr. Astha Purohit, who leads Walmart’s enterprise customer privacy platform, the evolution of retail is no longer about human shoppers browsing websites. Instead, she sees a fundamental shift toward AI agents capable of handling routine grocery orders, comparing choices, and executing purchases on behalf of the consumer.
Warner Bros. executive Christiana Hawes joins 2026 RTIH awards jury
Christiana Hawes, the Senior Director of Retail Experiences Technology at Warner Bros. Discovery, has been appointed to the judging panel for the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards. Her inclusion marks a strategic addition to a diverse group of industry leaders tasked with evaluating global retail technology advancements.
Entries Open for 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
The 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards have officially opened for submissions, seeking to spotlight excellence in global omnichannel retail technology. Organizations worldwide are invited to showcase projects completed within the last year, with winners set to be honored during a ceremony at The HAC in London on November 4.
Retail analyst Ben Miller joins 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards jury
Retail analyst and commentator Ben Miller has joined the judging panel for the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards. Known for his work in retailer strategy and global insights, Miller brings nearly three decades of industry experience to the competition, which recognizes technological advancements in the omnichannel sector.
Retailers pivot to agentic commerce as operational complexity grows
Retailers are moving beyond simple digital upgrades, treating the shift toward agentic commerce as an fundamental operational challenge rather than a mere technology task. Paul Sims, former Chief Architect at M&S, notes that the industry is transitioning from users acting as operators to managers who set goals for AI agents.
Retail Technology Show 2026 Draws Record Innovation Showcase
London’s ExCeL transformed into a hub of digital transformation last week as the Retail Technology Show returned, hosting over 450 innovators. The event drew senior leadership from across the industry to evaluate emerging tools in AI, logistics, and customer engagement, cementing its position as a vital calendar date for retail investment.
Retailers Pivot to Cost-Cutting as Employee Experience Takes a Backseat
Retailers are abandoning workforce engagement strategies in favor of aggressive cost control, according to new research from WorkJam. Surveying 150 industry professionals at the Retail Technology Show 2026, the data reveals a stark strategic reversal as rising labor costs force companies to prioritize bottom-line survival over staff retention.