Retail Systems Magazine

This award will recognise a retailer who has implemented an innovative piece of EPoS technology into its organisation. Retailers are considering implementing a range of technologies such as self-checkout, kiosks, touchscreens and cash management strategies into their businesses. The winning entry will be able to demonstrate how such technology has improved the company’s business. The judges will consider how the application of the technology achieves business benefits, along with the degree of innovation present in the IT solution.

2. Supply Chain Solution of the Year

This award will recognise a retailer who has introduced a supply chain solution which has helped the business manage and maintain its stock levels, while also improving visibility across the entire organisation. The winning entry will be able to highlight how the retailer has integrated the technology into its business. Judges will also assess the business and cost-saving benefits of the solution.

3. Best Use of In-Store Marketing Technology in Retail

This award will recognise a retailer who has achieved innovation in relation to its in-store marketing experience. Advances in technology such as in-store television, display technology built into the floor and the use of music in stores and shopping centres highlight how retailers are using technology to the benefit of their operations. Judges will assess how technologies such as this have enhanced the customer experience.

4. Best Use of Technology in the Hospitality and Leisure Sector

This award will recognise an organisation who has achieved business growth through the use of innovative solutions. With consumer expectations central to this sector the need to employ effective and efficient technology is of increasing importance. Judges will assess how the use of technology has helped improve their business.

5. Card Programme of the Year

This award will recognise a retailer who has achieved success through its giftcard / loyalty programme. The winning entry will be able to demonstrate through its use of technology how its programme has helped to improve its customer relationship management. The judges will consider how the application of the technology achieves business benefits, along with the degree of innovation present in the IT solution.

6. Retail Website of the Year

This award will recognise the development and growth of online retail. The winning retailer should demonstrate a user-friendly and smooth-running website, which offers customers a seamless shopping experience. It will be able to demonstrate that it can handle large volumes of traffic and meet its customers’ requirements. The judges will consider how the application of the technology achieves business benefits, along with the degree of innovation present in the IT solution.

7. IT Project of the Year

This award will recognise a retailer who has delivered a successful IT project into its operations. The winning entry should demonstrate that the project has met all requirements and highlight how it has improved the overall operations of the organisation. Judges will assess the innovation of the technology employed by the retailer.

8. IT Team of the Year

This award will commend the achievements of a retailer’s IT team over the past 12 months. Applications will be accepted from companies that have outsourced part of their IT operations to a third party. Judges will assess how the IT team has worked with the retailer and resolved any issues, while looking at how the technology employed has helped to create business benefits for the organisation.

9. Retail Security Initiative of the Year

This award will recognise a retailer who has implemented loss prevention or anti-fraud measures across its operations. The winning entry will display the ability to instil confidence in its customers without restricting the level of service they provide. The judges will also consider how the application of the technology achieves business benefits, along with the degree of innovation present in the IT solution.

10. Back Office Solution of the Year

This award will recognise a retailer who has rolled out either an ERP system or a best-of-breed solution across its organisation. Judges will assess how the technology has integrated in with the current operations and will look for benefits brought about by the technology, while also assessing the innovation of the technology introduced.

11. Retailer of the Year

This award will recognise technological developments deployed by a retailer, which have made it stand out among its peers. It will detail how the deployment of technology has led to an improvement of the overall efficiency of an organisation. It will also demonstrate potential cost savings across the business. Judges will be looking for good communication throughout the business and will want to see that the technology has made an impact across all levels of the company.

12. Outstanding Individual Performance in the Retail IT Sector

This award will commend an individual from a retail company or technology supplier who has made an outstanding contribution to the retail sector over the course of their career.

13. Environmental initiative of the year

This award will go to a retailer who has responded in an innovative way to their customers’ interest in greener products and stores. The successful entry will demonstrate how technology can boost a retailer's green credentials and help support the growth of environmentally sustainable business operations. The judges will also consider how the application of the technology has made an impact across the entire company, as well as the level of innovation offered by the IT solution.

14. European solution of the year

This award will recognise a European retailer who has implemented an innovative piece of technology into its organisation. Judges will be looking for evidence of how the deployment of the technology has led to an improvement of the overall efficiency of a retailer's operations. Entries will also demonstrate how the technology has made an impact across all levels of the organisation.