During the recent VivaTech trade show, the luxury group LVMH announced the winner of its prestigious innovation prize, the LVMH Innovation Award 2022. This year, the honor went to Toshi, a London-based start-up that aims to bridge the gap between online and physical retail.
Toshi’s mission is to facilitate a seamless retail experience by personalizing product delivery and returns. Founded in 2017 by Sojin Lee, one of the co-founders of luxury e-commerce platform Net A Porter, Toshi has developed a sustainable logistic process that relies on the use of public transportation, a fleet of electric vehicles, and the implementation of nearby hubs dedicated to micro warehousing.
Not only did Toshi win the LVMH Innovation Award overall, but it was also recognized in the “Operations & Manufacturing Excellence” category. This accomplishment highlights the company’s commitment to efficient and sustainable practices in the retail industry.
Currently, Toshi operates in London and New York, but it has plans to expand to new cities next year, including Paris, Los Angeles, and Milan. It’s worth mentioning that Toshi already collaborates with several brands within the LVMH group, such as Rimowa, Berluti, and Christian Dior Couture.
In addition to Toshi, several other start-ups were recognized for their innovative contributions within different categories. Bitski, based in the USA, was honored in the “3D/Virtual Product Experience & Metaverse” category for its creation, sale, and integration of NFTs. Gamino, a French company specializing in specialized e-training on disability issues, took home the award for “Employee Experience & CSR.” SeenThis, from Sweden, was recognized for its streaming optimization technology in the “Media & Brand Awareness” category. The ShowCase, a Swiss start-up, won in the “Omnichannel & Retail” category for their live video tool for Watchmaking-Jewelry. And Weturn, another French company, won in the “Sustainability” category for its production of yarns and fabrics from unsold items.
A special Data & AI award was also presented to MarqVision, an AI-based tool from the USA that automatically detects counterfeit products on more than 1,500 online marketplaces in 115 countries. This recognition emphasizes the importance of combating counterfeit products and protecting consumers in the digital age.
It is worth noting that last year, LVMH awarded the Swedish company Bambuser as the winner of the LVMH Innovation Award. Bambuser specializes in livestream shopping solutions, showcasing the luxury group’s commitment to embracing emerging technologies and transforming the retail landscape.
For more information on the LVMH Innovation Awards, visit their official website here. To learn more about Toshi and their innovative approach to retail, you can visit their website here.
