The annual RetailTech Breakthrough Awards program recognizes the most innovative products, companies and individuals in the global retail technology industry. Our awards celebrate excellence in various categories, including E-commerce Solutions, Retail Automation, Store Management, Data Analytics, POS Systems, Workforce Management, Artificial Intelligence in Retail, and more. We honor those driving transformation in the retail sector with cutting-edge technology and solutions.

We focus on honoring those who are at the forefront of retail innovation, whether through technological advancements, creative applications or pioneering strategies that are reshaping the future of retail. Our awards cover a broad spectrum of categories, ensuring that every area of the retail ecosystem that is being impacted by technology receives recognition.

The program is a key part of Tech Breakthrough, a leading global market intelligence organization that identifies and rewards excellence in technology innovation across today’s most competitive & innovative technology industries. As part of the Tech Breakthrough family, the awards leverage a global network of experts, industry leaders and influencers to provide winners with unparalleled recognition.

We welcome submissions from companies, organizations and individuals worldwide who have developed innovative products, solutions or services that impact the retail industry. Whether you’re a startup, an established company, or a nonprofit, if your work aligns with our categories and criteria, we encourage you to apply.

To submit an entry, simply complete the online application form during the open submission period. Fill out all required fields, provide details about your product, service, or solution, and submit any additional supporting materials (such as case studies or customer testimonials) as links in the nomination form to strengthen your application.

Deadlines vary each year, so please check our website for the most up-to-date information on this year’s submission deadlines. Entries submitted after the deadline may not be considered.

The RetailTech Breakthrough Awards cover a wide range of categories in retail technology, including but not limited to:

• Store Management
• Inventory and Warehouse Technology
• E-Commerce
• Customer Experience

For a complete list and descriptions of all available categories, please visit our Categories page.

The judging process is a thorough, multi-step evaluation conducted by an independent panel of industry experts. Each entry is assessed on key criteria such as Innovation, Performance, User Experience, Functionality, Market Impact and Value. For more details, check out our Judging Process page.

Winners of the 2026 program will be publicly announced on April 23, 2026. Winners are notified privately prior to the public announcement, giving them time to prepare for the media coverage and promotional opportunities that follow.

We promote winners through extensive communications campaigns, including global press releases, features on our website, and showcasing their accomplishments on our social media channels. Our promotional efforts are designed to amplify the winners’ recognition, drive new business opportunities, and increase their visibility among potential clients, investors, and partners across the global retail technology ecosystem. By leveraging our extensive media network, we ensure that RetailTech Breakthrough Award winners are recognized as leaders and innovators in the industry.

Yes, you can submit multiple entries for different products or solutions, or for the same product in different categories.

If you’re uncertain about which category best suits your entry, feel free to contact our team. We’re happy to guide you toward the category that best reflects your innovation and impact, ensuring your entry is evaluated appropriately.

Yes, RetailTech Breakthrough takes confidentiality seriously. All submission materials are only accessible to our team and judges and are used exclusively for evaluation purposes. We have safeguards in place to protect your proprietary information and intellectual property.

Due to the large volume of entries, we are unable to provide individual feedback. However, every submission is carefully reviewed, and winners are selected based on merit and alignment with the judging criteria.

Yes, you can withdraw your submission at any time.

Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates on key dates, award announcements, and other important information. You can also follow us on our social media channels for the latest news on the RetailTech Breakthrough Awards.

For solution, platform and product entries, significant updates and refreshes to legacy solutions are valid if those updates have taken place after January 1, 2023.

For the “Company of the Year” awards there are no time-bound limitations as we recognize companies of all sizes and ages – from retail technology titans to early-stage startups.

If you have any further questions or need assistance with the application process, category selection, or anything else related to the awards program, please contact our team at [email protected]. We’re here to help!