The awarded projects highlight just how broad – and how diverse – the levers of effective retail technology have become. In Artificial Intelligence, the spectrum ranged from AI-based product recognition at checkout (Albert, Czech Republic), to computer-vision-supported loss prevention at self-checkout (Netto Marken-Discount, Germany), to an autonomous smart store capturing purchases in real time – even at fresh counters (Sonae, Portugal).
In Checkout & Smart Store, the focus was on tangible improvements such as intelligent shopping carts (Colruyt Group, Belgium), a grab-and-go concept at an airport location (Lekkerland/REWE To Go, Germany), and dynamic price optimization in fashion retail (Lengermann & Trieschmann, Germany). In Customer Experience, awards went to initiatives including interactive shelf touchpoints, omnichannel fulfillment, and AI-powered service tools.
Equally relevant are the solutions supporting daily operations inside organizations. In Employee Empowerment, projects centered on better in-store communication and task management, digital training, and AI-based assistance for employees. In Supply Chain Excellence, the spotlight was on highly automated logistics, improved master data quality, and modern omnichannel replenishment platforms. In the special category MarTech Innovation, Koçtaş (Turkey) was recognized for a loyalty-as-a-service platform that brings together omnichannel data integration and real-time interactions.
For me, the Retail Technology Awards 2026 (reta) make one thing clear: the most compelling projects are those that simplify processes, support employees, and measurably improve customer experiences. This combination of innovation and real-world implementation is what makes reta so relevant – and it provides impulses for the industry that continue well beyond the trade show.
