This year’s Retail Technology Show (RTS) brought together the leading retailers and brands across two days in April, moving across London to its new home at the ExCeL. The show is seen as a ‘must-attend’ and standout event in the retailer calendar. 

As the EMEA leader in retail cash recycling solutions, GLORY showcased our CI-X devices for the front and back office, as well as our self-checkout (SCO) solution and K27 kiosk, showing delegates the value of these and how beneficial they can be helping retailers drive the customer journey, improving their back office cash processes, and in transforming their cash management ecosystem – see the Glory team pictured below!

We also demonstrated and showed the value of how our UBIQULAR Inform cloud-based software delivers actionable cash insights and efficiency to cash operations across the retail space. 

The show covered it all - from RFID to analytics, from front end user experiences to backend operations, we saw the latest and greatest in technology and innovation in retail on display.

Customer expectations are high, and the session explored the importance of aligning every touchpoint within the customer journey be it physically in a store or online, through an integrated approach, linking the front end experience and back office operations, as well as empowering front line colleagues with the right tools and insights to succeed. 

When technologies are harmonised across the entire retail ecosystem, it can transform the customer journey and experience, building trust, loyalty and a creating a seamless shopping experience – meaning customers choose your store time and time again. 

The challenge for retailers is ensuring that all touchpoints are seamlessly connected at the right place at the right time, but with the right solutions and technology in place, it’s one you can meet.

Mike Cowling, Glory’s UK National Business Development Manager previously touched upon this point in his, ‘5 mins with’ video interview with RTS saying, ‘‘It’s all about the customer journey, when you have all the competing technologies, the most successful retailers are paying attention to the intricacies that make a customer’s journey through the store as seamless as possible.’’

Human Centricity 

Successful retailers put their people at the heart of everything they do. Many consumers still value and actively choose the human interaction and tailored experience that only shopping in-store can provide, with bricks and mortar stores often serving as the first touchpoint in a customer’s journey.

In 2025, the UK retail sector is navigating significant staff retention issues and escalating operational costs. There was a key focus on how retailers should focus on the wellbeing and happiness of staff and the tools and technologies retailers can utilise to alleviate pressures on staff, increase efficiencies and cultivate brand loyalty. 

Speaking to Retail Innovation Hub, Holland & Barrett's Chief Customer Officer (CCO) Georgie White, said at RTS-

“It’s easy to say you’re customer centric. But it’s challenging to live and breathe it.”

Tackling Retail Crime

It’s no secret that retail crime is on rise, according to the British Retail Consortium, Annual Retail Crime Survey 2025 report around 2,000 incidents of retail crime happen every single day, costing retailers approx. £2.2 billion per year, but the impact stretches far beyond financial implications and operational challenges. 

The show highlighted how a multi-faceted approach to tackling retail crime and loss prevention is needed. Retail theft can take various forms, from cash to inventory, and impacting all types of retailers, from international operators to local convenience stores.

Technologies showcased included real-time inventory management to smart sensors to fraud and forgery detection, as well security solutions designed to support the wellbeing and safety of colleagues and customers.

Ultimately, what was clear was the importance of collaboration and an intelligence lead approach, with retailers, technology, and community and industry partnerships to tackle this issue head on.

At the National Convenience Show (NCS) at the NEC in Birmingham the week after,  we joined leading EPOS providers Henderson Technology and Point Four, and noted the similarities in the conversations we had with delegates and the challenges being faced across the industry.  With our CI-10X cash recycling devices, visitors experienced first-hand  how these EPOS providers and Glory support convenience and forecourt stores to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences.

Business Development Manager, Andrew Dryburgh, said – ‘‘Many of the retailers we spoke to at RTS and at NCS were facing the same challenges and pressures, the key priority for most was clear – delivering excellent customer service and driving greater operational efficiencies.’’  

AI in Retail

AI featured heavily on the agenda, from Generative AI to Open Source AI and the trends shaping 2025 and beyond - it’s clear AI continues to evolve rapidly, becoming an intrinsic part of our daily lives. However irrespective of how it’s packaged, AI in retail often shares the same purpose - improve the customer experience, increasing efficiencies and save costs.

In Summary 

It was great to speak to retailers about their priorities and share how Glory and Flooid’s integrated solutions can help drive the customer journey, whilst providing better human interactions and increased efficiencies.

We look forward to continuing those conversations after the shows. 

For more information about how Glory can help take your retail business to the next level, take a look at our retail solutions or get in touch.