• Over 14,000 retail professionals attended the two-day carnival of retail innovation
  • 81 percent of RTS visitors were C-Level executives, Senior Management or Heads Of functions within retail organisations
  • 89 percent of exhibitors rebooked on-site for RTS 2026, taking place on 22nd – 23rd April 2026 at ExCeL London

Retail Technology Show (RTS), the flagship event connecting retail’s changemakers with technology innovators, transformed its new home at London ExCeL into a giant retail carnival, welcoming over 14,000 retail professionals – an 11 percent increase on the previous year.

Debuting at Excel London on 2nd – 3rd April 2025, RTS 2025 hosted its biggest edition yet, presenting an expansive technology showcase featuring 438 leading innovators and solution providers. The show attracted a record number of senior retail professionals, underlining its growing influence as the industry’s must-attend event.

Commenting on the calibre of innovation on display, Penny Grivea, former Managing Director UK & Ireland at Rituals, remarked that RTS helps retailers remain “relevant” and “stay on their toes.”  While Maria Hollins, CEO of Ann Summers, echoed this sentiment, adding: “you’ll always find something that’s interesting you can take away to your own business.”

Prerana Issar, Chief People Officer & Head of Corporate Affairs at Sainsbury’s, also highlighted the role the event plays in unifying the retail industry through technology innovation and the symbiotic relationship between the two.  “The fact that technology and retail come together [at RTS] is fantastic because they aren’t two different things anymore – they haven’t been for a while now.  It isn’t possible to talk about retail without talking about technology, digital, AI – they are all one and the same thing,” she said.

A jam-packed conference programme, buzzing with insight from 125+ of retail’s brightest minds, saw sector leaders including M&S’ Archie Norman, serial entrepreneur Theo Paphitis, The Body Coach Joe Wicks, and All Saints Founder Stuart Trevor take to the stage. Speaking to RTS, Trevor talked about how the show was a unifying force within the retail sector, commenting: “it brings together all different people, from all walks of the industry.”  Meanwhile, Customer Whisperer, Kate Hardcastle MBE, who chaired the Spectacular Headline Stage across the two-day conference programme, added: “the Retail Technology Show has become a beautiful meeting point where technology and retail converge.”

Visitors were also treated to all the energy of the retail carnival – from dodgems and merry-go-rounds within the circus rides area to high-octane networking opportunities, including Retail’s BIG Party on Day 1 and satellite events, including London Store Tours with Ian Scott.  Alex Gourlay, Executive Chair at Holland & Barrett, added: “it’s a great event, but it’s not just about the technology; it’s about meeting people and about building relationships.”

Given the significant volume, seniority and calibre of retailers and brands in attendance at RTS 2025, 89 percent of exhibitors rebooked on-site for next year’s event, with RTS 2026 already shaping up to be another unmissable industry event.

Matt Bradley, Event Director of the Retail Technology Show, commented: “I couldn’t be prouder of the entire RTS team who worked tirelessly to turn the ExCeL into an absolute carnival of retail, bringing the entire industry together to celebrate the thrills and spills of the sector in spectacular fashion.  From the knock-out conference programme sporting some of retail’s trailblazers, to the breadth and depth of the innovation on the show floor, through to the amazing entertainment – every detail was fine-tuned to deliver our one of our best shows to date.  We’re energised and ready to build on the success of 2025, as we start to plan next year’s show.”

RTS returns to London’s ExCeL on 22nd – 23rd April 2026. Register your interest here: https://www.retailtechnologyshow.com

 

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March 2025 issue

2025 A1 Buyers Guide