Sensei Recognised Across Global Retail Innovation Awards

Over the past year and a half, Sensei’s autonomous retail technology has been recognised by some of the most respected institutions in retail and technology. From global innovation awards to industry reports highlighting must-visit stores, these recognitions reflect the growing impact of autonomous retail at scale.

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Many of these acknowledgements are tied to the Continente Bom Dia Leiria São Romão store, developed in partnership with MC (Sonae).

At 1,200 sqm and more than 12,000 SKUs, it is currently the world’s largest autonomous supermarket, demonstrating that frictionless shopping can scale far beyond small convenience formats.

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Across 2025 and 2026, Sensei has received multiple awards, nominations, and industry recognitions that highlight the rapid evolution of AI-powered physical retail.

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Retail Technology Innovation Hub – AI & Physical Retail Award 2026

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Sensei was awarded the Retail Technology Innovation Hub (RTIH) AI Award for AI & Physical Retail, recognising the company’s leadership in bringing AI-driven autonomous shopping into real retail environments.

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Unlike many experimental deployments in the industry, Sensei’s technology is operating daily at full scale, enabling retailers to reduce friction in the shopping journey while improving store operations.

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The award recognises the successful implementation of AI, computer vision, and sensor fusion technology that allows shoppers to simply walk in, take what they need, and leave without going through checkout.

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RETA Awards – Artificial Intelligence Category 2026

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Sensei and MC Continente were recognised at the EHI RETA Awards 2026, one of Europe’s most respected retail technology awards.

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The nomination highlights the technological innovation behind the Continente Bom Dia Leiria São Romão store, where AI-powered basket capture enables seamless checkout-free shopping even across complex areas such as fresh food counters.

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European Commerce Awards – Digitalisation Category 2025

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The European Commerce Awards 2025, organised by EuroCommerce, awarded the Digitalisation category to the Continente Bom Dia Leiria São Romão store.

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This recognition highlights the role of advanced technology in shaping the future of retail operations and customer experience.

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‍RTIH Innovation Awards – Most Innovative Retailer (Rest of World) 2025

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At the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, Sensei received the Most Innovative Retailer (Rest of World) recognition.

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The award celebrates companies redefining how physical retail works through technology, and acknowledges Sensei’s role in building seamless, AI-powered retail environments.

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Industry Recognition

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IGD Top 25 “Must-See Stores” for 2026

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The Continente Bom Dia Leiria São Romão store was selected by the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) as one of the Top 25 Must-See Stores for 2026.

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IGD highlighted the store as an example of how autonomous retail can be implemented at scale in a familiar supermarket environment.

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Visitors experience a traditional supermarket layout, but with a radically simplified shopping journey: customers enter the store, take products, and leave without scanning or queueing.

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Deloitte Technology Fast 50 – 6th Place (2025)

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Sensei was ranked 6th in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Portugal, recognising the company as one of the fastest-growing technology companies in the country.

The ranking reflects the strong growth of autonomous retail and the increasing adoption of AI-driven store infrastructure by major retailers.

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Finalist and Shortlisted Awards

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In addition to its wins, Sensei was also recognised as a finalist across multiple international awards, reflecting the industry’s growing interest in autonomous store technology.

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These include:

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Retail Technology Innovation Hub Awards

• AI and Physical Stores (2026 finalist)
• AI Technology Supplier of the Year – Rest of World (2026 finalist)
• Bricks and Mortar Innovation (2025 finalist)
• Technology Implementation of the Year – Rest of World (2025 finalist)

These nominations recognise Sensei’s work in pushing the boundaries of physical retail through AI-powered store infrastructure.

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A Growing Momentum for Autonomous Retail

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Together, these recognitions highlight a broader shift happening across the retail industry.

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Retailers are increasingly investing in technologies that transform stores into data-driven environments, improving efficiency while delivering faster, more seamless shopping experiences.

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Sensei’s platform combines AI, computer vision, and sensor fusion to create autonomous shopping environments that operate in real supermarkets, at scale.

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The success of the Continente Bom Dia Leiria store demonstrates that autonomous retail is no longer an experimental concept, but a practical solution already transforming the way stores operate.

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