The Retail Technology Show (RTS) is a flagship event that aims to highlight and explore new technologies that could spell the next generation for the industry. So, let us take a look at two of the key technologies taking centre stage at this year’s event.
Immersive and experiential technology
It is said that, for the first time, RTS will play host to some immersive and experiential technologies in 2025, which promise to deliver surprises to attendees of the event. This comes as immersive experiences are seeing a dramatic uptake in demand across all sectors, as consumers look for engaging, personalisable, and three-dimensional experiences.
Perhaps most obviously, the rise in demand for immersive experiences can be seen in the entertainment industry. Indeed, online casino platforms use technology to create engaging virtual alternatives to traditionally in-person experiences. Take something like bingo – bingo enthusiasts can try their hand at a range of slingo games at Paddy Power such as Slingo Lucky McGold, Da Vinci Diamonds, Day of the Dab, and Cosmic Clusters, to just name a few. These games utilise the mechanics of online slots, combining them with the rules of bingo, to create immersive virtual experiences. Thanks to the technology that supports them, this allows the games to experiment with different themes, as shown in the range of available games. With this in mind, technology helps to create immersive and authentic bingo experiences.
Similarly, immersive and experiential technology has begun to be adopted in retail spaces. This combination of experience and retail is sometimes referred to as retailtainment. Retailtainment utilises technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and experiential marketing techniques to provide an experience that goes beyond ‘selling things’ – it has to entertain and engage too. As such, Storefront Magazine predicts that experiential retail is the future – something that the inclusion of immersive and experiential technology in RTS 2025 seems to agree with.
Artificial Intelligence
This year, RTS has partnered with the Retail AI Council, which is a global community that intends to empower retailers of all sizes to explore AI technologies, share knowledge, and network with one another in order to make the adoption of AI in retail more streamlined and proactive.
By partnering with the Retail AI Council, it is expected that some of the top innovations in cutting-edge AI will be displayed and demonstrated at the RTS event. Their stand will also feature suppliers that are known for being pioneers in AI-driven retail solutions, such as merchandising, personalisation technology, product testing, unified commerce, and point of sale (POS) systems.
In addition, Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions will return as the sponsor of the Retailers Lounge, presenting its Innovation Zone. Toshiba is known for its adoption of AI – and this integration of AI will be the topic of Head of Software Martin Ward’s session on the spotlight stage.
This push towards AI technology is in line with industry data from RTS themselves. In the UK, retail leaders believe that AI will be the top innovation to unlock and accelerate growth in 2025 with 51%, followed by generative AI (44%), and other personalisation technologies (25%).
Retail Technology Show 2025
The RTS will be at London ExCeL on the 2nd and 3rd of April 2025. And, with a focus on immersive experiential technology and the adoption of AI, it is clear that RTS is looking at how such technologies could be used to pave the way for retail solutions of the future.
