With just two days to go until Retail Technology Show (RTS), the leading event that connects forward-thinking retailers and leading tech innovators, here are five things you’re not going to want to miss on Day 1 (02 Apr) of the two-day retail extravaganza.

Debuting in its new home, ExCeL London, RTS will welcome 15,000 retail professionals to explore its retail carnival on 02 & 03 April 2025, bringing the wonder of retail to life at the industry’s flagship event that celebrates innovation and fast-forwards retailers’ digital transformation. 

#1 – Retail’s brightest minds take to the stage

10.20am, 02 Apr – M&S’ Archie Norman – Spectacular stage: Chairman of Marks and Spencer (M&S), Archie Norman, will join Customer Whisperer, Kate Hardcastle MBE, for an unmissable fireside chat to discuss M&S’ impressive digital transformation and its pioneering work on sustainability.  The session will also explore how M&S has substantially changed its omnichannel delivery, how it uses its Sparks programme to drive customer loyalty and insight as well as how the retailer has led its workforce through periods of huge disruption. 

11.40am, 02 Apr – The Body Coach, Joe Wicks – Spectacular stage: Having risen to fame through his HIIT workout platform The Body Coach, Wicks quickly gained a sizable following across online and social. Beyond his online fitness platform, Wicks is a best-selling author, and recently partnered with Asda, creating healthy recipes for school children as well as appeared in the supermarket’s latest Rollback ads.  Wicks joins Kate Hardcastle for a fireside chat discussing the art of brand building, the role of fitness and wellbeing in driving workforce motivation and the importance of cultivating resilience. 

11.40am, 02 Apr – The Sole Supplier – Wonderous stage: After his forthright discussions about discount-led ecommerce giants operating ‘without heart’ at the RTS Pre-Show Press Day, CEO & Founder of sneaker and streetwear marketplace, The Sole Supplier, George O’Sullivan will explore building authentic brand experiences through content collabs in his session.  O’Sullivan will dive into 5 secret hacks for creating authentic, impactful content that stands out in what is becoming increasingly crowded digital and social channel spaces.

#2 – MACH Alliance members showcase game-changing ecommerce solutions exclusively at RTS 2025

Four leading members of the MACH Alliance – Akeneo, Contentstack, Algolia, and commercetools – will co-exhibit exclusively at the 2025 Retail Technology Show (RTS) – making it the only UK trade show featuring all four of the tech providers, highlighting the power of their combined solutions to enhance retailers’ composable commerce capabilities.

Embracing RTS’ carnival of retail theme, the ‘Power of MACH’ stand, located on booth N10, will feature its very own Big Top design and host a barista bar as well as a cocktail happy hour and live DJ set on Day 1, alongside live product briefings and demonstrations across both days. 

#3 – The Retail AI Council Pavillion shines a light on leading artificial intelligence solutions

Global retailer-led community, Retail AI Council, will showcase the latest and most innovative examples of cutting-edge AI innovation at its Pavillion (Stand E10).   Featuring a hand-picked selection of U.S. suppliers, curated for the progressive nature of their future-forward AI-powered solutions, including: Monetate, a digital merchandising, testing and personalisation AI technology; KWI, an AI-first unified commerce and POS platform;  Sophelle, a leading retail management consultancy; and Newmine, an applied AI returns reduction solution.

#4 –See the RTS 2025 Innovation Awards winner crowned

Every year, the RTS Innovation Awards highlight the best examples of game-changing solutions from across the RTS exhibition floor.  The award programme hand-picks those technologies that have the power to unlock competitive advantage and digitally transform retailers’ capabilities – whether its AI solutions that drive efficiencies or power promotions, to tech that digitally connects the shelf-edge and innovations that optimise product information. 

With ten shortlisted technology providers, including Akeneo, Glanceable, invent.ai, Pricer and Profitmind, find out who will take the 2025 Innovation Awards’ crown at the BIG Retail Party, which offers visitors the chance to raise a glass and network with colleagues and peers over live music and top-tier entertainment after Day 1 (02 April).

#5 – Network with peers, prospects and partners at The BIG Retail Party

Embrace the retail carnival spirit at The BIG Retail Party, hosted by RTS at the end of Day 1 (02 April) – kick back, raise a glass and celebrate with your peers at the industry’s biggest, unmissable gathering and celebration of retail. 

This year, RTS will be bringing next level energy with its Carnival Wonderland – a dazzling backdrop for an unforgettable evening, which promises ‘fun, fireworks and an electric atmosphere.’