Discover 20 Innovative Retail Startups to Watch (2025)

Novel technologies, such as AI, augmented reality (AR), the internet of things (IoT), and blockchain, are transforming the retail industry. By leveraging AI-powered data analytics, retailers gain insights into customer behavior and preferences. This allows them to personalize the shopping experience and improve customer engagement. Augmented reality enables customers to visualize products in their homes before purchase, while blockchain ensures transparency and security in supply chain management.

Further, innovations such as mobile payment systems and self-checkout are streamlining the checkout process, reducing wait times, and improving the overall shopping experience. These technologies, and others, enable retailers to stay competitive in a rapidly changing market. Let’s check out the 20 innovative retail startups taking these technologies forward!

This article was last updated in July 2024.

20 Retail Startups to Watch in 2025

• ComeBy – Shopper Behavior Analysis
• Sponsorcart – Retail Video Advertising Platform
• Milo Retail – DTC Business Management
• retailmediatools – Retail Media Platform
• Focalpay – Retail Payment Management
• envelope – Shelf Monitoring
• SensAI – AR-based 3D eCommerce
• Olymon – eCommerce Automation
• Sokrio – Distribution Management Software
• Herbie.AI – Retail Chatbot
• Cognitiwe – Smart Retail Management
• Twiva – Social Commerce
• Goshsha – Immersive Retail
• Vocads – Voice Commerce
• Retellect – AI-powered Product Recognition
• Splashup – Personalized eCommerce
• PackUpp – Last-Mile Product Delivery
• Mileberry – IoT Click & Collect Delivery Network
• Forthcode Technologies – Point-of-Sale Platform
• Riitail – Cloud-based Customer Analytics

Global Startup Heat Map highlights 20 Retail Startups to Watch

Through the Big Data & Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering over 4.7M+ startups & scaleups globally, we identified 5292 retail startups. The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights the 20 retail startups you should watch in 2025 as well as the geo-distribution of all retail startups & scaleups we analyzed for this research.

Want to explore all 5200+ retail startups & scaleups?

Based on the heat map, we see high startup activity in the USA and India, followed by Europe. These construction startups work on solutions ranging from shopper behavior analysis and shelf monitoring to AR-based 3D eCommerce and retail payment management.

As the world’s largest resource for data on emerging companies, the SaaS platform enables you to identify relevant technologies and industry trends quickly & exhaustively. Based on the data from the platform, the Top 20 Retail Startup Hubs are in London, New York, Bangalore, Mumbai, and San Francisco. The 20 hand-picked startups highlighted in this report are chosen from all over the world and develop solutions for retail payment management, 3D eCommerce, video advertising, shopping assistance, and much more.

Explore 20 Innovative Retail Startups to Watch (2025)

ComeBy advances Shopper Behavior Analysis

Malaysian startup ComeBy enhances in-store retail experiences through its platform. It captures traffic data using cameras and QR codes, analyzing shopper behavior and store interactions. The platform features the Comeby Traffic tool, which tracks shopper phone signals to understand store interaction and optimize layout. Comeby Engage acts as a digital shopping assistant, offering product information and personalized recommendations. This tool improves customer engagement without requiring app downloads.

ComeBy Insights combines traffic and engagement data with PoS systems for comprehensive retail analytics. It helps retailers understand shopper behavior, store performance, and product trends. The platform’s insights guide strategic decisions, enhancing product selection and store design. It aims to convert window shoppers into paying customers by leveraging offline cookie data points. ComeBy’s solutions thus boost sales, customer loyalty, and operational efficiency in retail.

Sponsorcart builds a Retail Video Advertising Platform

USA-based startup Sponsorcart provides a platform for shoppable retail video advertising. The platform enables the integration of video content into retail websites and apps. It creates native advertising experiences that blend with the customer journey. The technology allows for personalized targeting, ensuring product relevance to viewers. A key feature is the transactional aspect, where viewers are able to add products to their cart directly from the video. This approach aims to drive a higher return on ad spend for retailers.

The platform also offers tools for building, managing, and reporting on video campaigns. It supports the connection of product SKUs to video creatives and applies targeting based on campaign goals. The intuitive workflow facilitates on-the-fly campaign edits and tracking. Sponsorcart’s solution thus enhances customer experience and increases retail sales through interactive video content.

Milo Retail simplifies DTC Business Management

USA-based startup Milo Retail offers a cloud-based platform for managing orders, product information, customer relationships, and in-store fulfillment. The platform’s Order Management System (OMS) features intelligent routing and customizable dashboards for real-time business insights. Its Product Information Management (PIM) system automates the collection and transformation of product data, supporting multichannel integrations. Milo Retail’s Clienteling tools provide comprehensive customer profiles, enhancing personal client relationships and performance metrics.

The platform’s Assisted Selling feature empowers associates to sell outside the store using embedded shopping carts. The In-Store Fulfillment (ISF) tool simplifies the fulfillment process with a two-step product finding and packing system. ISF includes large-scale imagery and barcode scanning for accuracy in order fulfillment. The platform offers one-click printing of packing slips and shipping labels, integrating with popular shipping providers. The ISF system also monitors charge sends and shipping errors, ensuring efficient order fulfillment.

retailmediatools provides a Retail Media Platform

German startup retailmediatools enables retailers to launch and manage their own retail media networks. The platform allows retailers to monetize first-party data without compromising the shopper experience. It offers diverse customization options, including dynamic audience building and personalized discounts. Its flexibility extends to custom billing events and configurable ad ranking.

The platform’s Audience Builder tool enhances targeted advertising capabilities. Retailers are able to integrate the platform’s APIs, allowing a quick start to their retail media program. Suppliers can create campaigns using the self-service RMT Campaign Manager, paying by auction, and bidding for top placement. The technology ensures that customers see only the most relevant ads, tailored to their shopping history and context.

Focalpay streamlines Retail Payment Management

Focalpay is a Swedish startup that develops a retail payment management platform. Its Pay by Bank feature enables customers to transfer funds directly from their bank account to the merchant’s bank account. The removal of intermediaries enables merchants to save transaction fees and protect their payment infrastructure. Moreover, the payment service can also be used as a standalone API to offer mobile wallets in other products, such as the retailer’s checkout software, scan & pay, invoicing, or for e-commerce checkout.

The Checkout system operates across various contexts — in-store, self-service, and e-commerce processes. Its universal Virtual Basket infrastructure integrates all channels, allowing customers to use a single shopping cart that transitions across different shopping journeys through a QR code. Finally, the Backoffice provides administrative tools for retail management. This includes inventory tracking, sales monitoring, and financial reporting. It also offers real-time analytics and insights, enabling informed decision-making for retailers.

envelope enables Shelf Monitoring

envelope is a startup from Estonia that provides a smart shelf monitoring solution, enRetail. It leverages AI, machine learning, and computer vision to provide fully automated in-store shelf tracking, auditing, and reporting. enRetail tracks stock levels and makes this data accessible, enabling central warehouses to plan timely deliveries or share the information with the supplier. It also lets the store staff know which products to restock and when, making sure the shelves are always full.

Retailers are also able to confirm their staffing needs by checking the replenishment rates of every store. Deploying enRetail is convenient as retailers can get started by utilizing your existing cameras. The process involves registering the company on enRetail platform, connecting the IP camera infrastructure to the platform by inserting the camera link. Finally, the user needs to see the footage of their camera on the platform and mark the products of interests.

SensAI offers AR-based 3D eCommerce

Turkish startup SensAI enables AR-based 3D e-commerce. It produces high-resolution, low-size 3D models across various categories like fashion, furniture, and accessories. Its Digital Fashion solutions include virtual fabrics, personalized avatars, and detailed fitting options. SensAI’s Virtual Showroom feature allows for the creation of customized digital stores, fully integrated with AR applications. The Virtual Try-On tool lets users virtually try products on their own bodies, using advanced machine learning and AR algorithms. This way, SensAI enhances customer experience, thus increasing engagement between products and consumers.

Olymon facilitates eCommerce Automation

Olymon is a startup from UAE that advances eCommerce automation. Its platform ensures real-time inventory synchronization across multiple sales channels, maintaining accurate stock levels and product details. It streamlines order processing, enabling efficient management of orders from diverse online platforms. Real-time reporting features offer retailers valuable insights into sales and inventory statuses.

It sends instant updates as inventory shifts, for example, when stock levels drop or new products are added. Olymon’s design integrates with most point-of-sale systems, connecting existing retail infrastructure to online sales channels, enabling retailers to expand their digital presence. Thus, by automating key retail processes, Olymon reduces manual errors and saves time.

Sokrio makes a Distribution Management Software

Bangladeshi startup Sokrio builds a distribution management system, Sokrio DMS, that streamlines sales channels, offering efficient order management and sales performance tracking. Sokrio DMS features visualization tools for logistics, demand forecasts, and customer engagement metrics. It ensures efficient tracking of order statuses, inventory allocation, and delivery routes. The system generates reports on sales, inventory, and distribution efficiency, aiding in strategic decision-making.

Sokrio’s sales team route planning and activity monitoring tools enhance productivity and resource utilization. Automated purchase workflows in the platform ensure timely restocking and cost-effective inventory management. The platform simplifies order management from placement to delivery, minimizing errors for timely fulfillment. Sokrio’s technology captures and analyzes sales data automatically, improving sales strategies and customer engagement.

Herbie.AI designs a Retail Chatbot

Based out of UAE, Herbie.AI is a startup that develops an AI-powered chatbot for retail companies. It offers 24/7 customer assistance — both in-store and online, enhancing the shopping experience. The chatbot provides updates on special offers, holiday promotions, and store coupons, along with self-service features for order tracking and delivery scheduling.

It also assists customers with price drop alerts, payments, and returns. Herbie answers frequently asked questions about products and services across various communication channels. The chatbot updates customers on product availability in stores and offers tips and feedback on different product categories. Additionally, it enhances conversational commerce by analyzing customer buying patterns and preferences and providing personalized collections and offers.

Eager to discover all 5200+ retail startups & scaleups?

Cognitiwe offers a Smart Retail Management Platform

Estonian startup Cognitiwe provides an AI-powered smart retail management platform. It utilizes internet protocol (IP) cameras to extract useful data from images and videos. The platform also analyzes this data to systematically manage shelf stock. It monitors food freshness and provides an estimate of stock levels of product displays and boxed products on the shelves.

The platform also verifies the incorrect position and quantity of products to detect check-out aisles as well as monitors self-service kiosks to detect fraud and shrinkage. Consequently, Cognitiwe’s AI platform insights allow retailers to optimize their day-to-day operations.

Twiva develops a Social Commerce Platform

Kenyan startup Twiva develops an influencer-powered social commerce platform. It enables micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to market and sell products and services by engaging online influencers or resellers.

The platform also allows businesses to enlist their products and the startup adds them to the shops. The influencers then resell the products on their social media accounts and earn a commission in return. Businesses use Twiva to create new shopping experiences for customers by leveraging social media connections without incurring expensive upfront costs.

Goshsha provides an Immersive Retail Platform

US-based startup Goshsha makes an AR-based retail media platform. It allows businesses to track and connect with in-store shoppers. The startup’s app makes interactive images and objects and displays information for instant access.

It provides customer engagement features such as a scavenger hunt, where customers catch hidden discount coupons while shopping. The platform’s pop-up instructional videos allow businesses to better inform customers about their products. Goshsha helps businesses to better engage with their customers and increase sales.

Vocads facilitates Voice Commerce

French startup Vocads specializes in voice commerce solutions. The startup’s AI-powered platform allows businesses to design advertising campaigns. Its drag-and-drop block feature allows for the creation of a conversation flow for surveys. The platform also provides statistics, enabling businesses to analyze their campaigns and understand customers better.

The startup’s proprietary AI-based voice assistant, Understand Natural Interactions (UNI), utilizes natural language processing (NLP) to provide a natural conversation experience across platforms. One of the startup’s solutions is the customer voice survey, which allows customers to provide feedback in a more engaging way. Businesses use Vocads’ platform to make surveys more interesting and achieve higher completion rates for collecting enriched customer data.

Retellect offers AI-powered Product Recognition

Lithuanian startup Retellect enhances retail checkout efficiency through AI. Its platform integrates with existing checkout lanes and improves transaction speed and security. Retellect’s technology identifies products even without barcodes.

This streamlines checkout processes and prevents losses. One of its solutions, the Picklist, recognizes items placed in self-checkout areas. This enables a faster selection of fruits, vegetables, and other non-standard items.

Splashup creates a Personalized eCommerce Platform

Australian startup Splashup offers an eCommerce platform that uses AI to offer personalized product discovery tools to customers. It functions as a network of brands and retailers to enable post-checkout cross-promotion of complementary products.

This way, retailers simplify online shopping and improve the product comparison experience for customers. The startup also offers a simple widget that recommends relevant products to customers based on their purchase history. Splashup’s platform increases customer engagement, lead generation, and revenue for businesses.

PackUpp facilitates Last-Mile Product Delivery

Turkish startup PackUpp provides a last-mile delivery panel for retailers. Its application programming interface (API) integrates with eCommerce sites to enable automatic order delivery. The API also allows retailers to monitor their orders and access order data instantly.

It supports package live tracking and the option to leave packages with neighbors via SMS. PackUpp’s next-day, same-day, and express delivery thus provides a reliable and secure delivery solution for retail businesses.

Mileberry builds an IoT Click & Collect Delivery Network

US-based startup Mileberry offers Mileberry Hub, a modular parcel locker for installation at various locations such as retail stores and shopping malls. It functions as a self-service network for last-mile delivery, automating logistics, retail, and eCommerce. Retail businesses use the startup’s app or website to create shipments with receivers’ details.

The customers scan QR codes on the Mileberry Hub screen display to open the locker and collect their products. The locker is solar-powered and reduces the global carbon footprint and electricity costs. Businesses use the startup’s network to provide a contactless, customer-friendly, and self-service experience around the clock.

Forthcode Technologies makes a Point-of-Sale Platform

Indian startup Forthcode Technologies offers nGO Smart Retail, a cloud-based point-of-sale platform for retailers and wholesalers. It collects data on customer behavior, sales trends, and inventory levels to create value for the retail ecosystem with a smart interface and advanced analytics.

The nGO Smart Retail dashboard offers insights into demand prediction, inventory management, and logistics planning. Forthcode Technologies converts point-of-sales into business intelligence for retailers, driving increased efficiency and profitability.

Riitail offers Cloud-based Customer Analytics

German startup Riitail develops an AI-based customer analytics platform. It employs AI-powered sensor devices to detect customer interactions. The platform then leverages cloud computing to collect in-store events and enhances this data with product and marketing information.

Riitail’s analytics allows businesses to consolidate all in-store event data and connect them to marketing campaigns. Retailers leverage these insights to optimize their marketing strategies and expand their business reach.

Discover All Emerging Retail Startups

The retail startups showcased in this report are only a small sample of all startups we identified through our data-driven startup scouting approach. Download our free Retail Innovation Report for a broad overview of the industry or get in touch for quick & exhaustive research on the latest technologies & emerging solutions that will impact your company in 2025!