Press release -
Connected retail: Why partnerships are driving the next wave of innovation
Why retail innovation now happens in ecosystems
At EuroShop 2026 - The worlds No 1 Retail Trade Fair, one thing became increasingly clear:
> Retail innovation no longer happens alone.
Across the exhibition floor, the most compelling solutions were not standalone products - but combinations of technologies working together. From store design and digital displays to self-checkout, reverse vending and real-time communication, the value emerged in how platforms connected.
This shift marks a fundamental change in how retail evolves.
From solutions to ecosystems
For years, retail technology has been discussed in terms of individual systems: POS, signage, workforce management, IoT, analytics.
But in practice, store environments have become highly interconnected ecosystems, where multiple technologies need to operate in sync.
“Partnership is the new leadership in retail. The most powerful solutions are not built in isolation they are created when platforms connect and reinforce each other,”
says Hanna Nilsson, Head of Partnerships at Turnpike.
At EuroShop, this was visible not only in the technologies themselves, but in how companies such as ITAB Group, Extenda Retail, TOMRA and Samsung came together to demonstrate integrated solutions across the store environment.
When 1 + 1 = 11
The real value of partnerships is not additive - it is exponential.
When technologies are connected:
Customer journeys become smoother
Store operations become more efficient
Staff receive better, real-time support
Data becomes actionable across systems
In isolation, each solution delivers value.
Together, they create something fundamentally stronger.
For example:
ITAB Group’s store environments, combined with Turnpike’s real-time communication, enable dynamic, in-store experiences that adapt to both customer flow and staff needs.
Extenda Retail’s self-checkout solutions, integrated with real-time staff communication, help ensure smoother checkout flows and faster issue resolution.
TOMRA’s reverse vending machines, connected to store communication, improve the recycling experience while reducing friction for both customers and employees.
This is where 1 + 1 truly becomes 11.
Ultimately, the purpose of connecting technologies is simple: to remove friction on the shop floor.
When systems work together, the right information reaches the right person at the right time - enabling better decisions, smoother operations and stronger customer experiences.
The role of partnerships on the shop floor
As stores become more complex, the need for coordination increases.
It is no longer enough to have:
the best display
the smartest checkout
the most advanced analytics
If these systems do not work together, friction remains.
And friction on the shop floor leads to:
missed sales opportunities
operational inefficiencies
poor customer experiences
Partnerships are therefore not just a strategic choice - they are an operational necessity.
Enabling connected retail experiences
At EuroShop, Turnpike demonstrated solutions together with partners such as ITAB Group, Extenda Retail, TOMRA and Samsung.
These collaborations showed how different parts of the store environment can be connected:
Physical store design
Digital surfaces and communication
Checkout and transaction points
Recycling and return systems
Staff coordination in real time
At ITAB Group’s stand - one of the largest and most visited at EuroShop, attracting 50.000 visitors from 111 different countries -Turnpike’s solutions were demonstrated as a natural part of the connected store environment.
Link to video from ITAB's stand: Click Here
“When strong platforms connect, something important happens. Every solution performs better in context - and both customers and employees benefit from a smoother, more efficient experience,” says Hanna Nilsson.
A new leadership mindset
This shift requires a different way of thinking.
Leadership in retail is no longer about controlling every part of the stack.
It is about orchestrating the right ecosystem of partners.
Companies that succeed will be those that:
embrace openness and integration
prioritise collaboration over control
design solutions for real-world complexity
Looking ahead
The future of retail will not be defined by individual technologies, but by how well they work together.
And in that future, partnerships are not a supporting function.
They are the foundation.
For more information, please contact:
Hanna Nilsson
Head of Partnerships
hanna@turnpikegroup.com,
+ 46 (0) 73 55 55 669
