Retail technology innovation of the week: AI driven age estimation tech goes live at IKI Lithuania stores

Retail Technology Innovation of the Week is a series brought to you by RTIH, and sponsored by 3D Cloud, highlighting stand out deployments, launches, and initiatives by retailers and tech suppliers.

Every week, we will showcase forward thinking tech plays that have impressed our Editor and the Retail Technology Innovations Report judging panel, alongside the publication of the 2025 report.

So far, we’ve flagged up sterling work being done by Ocado Retail, Decathlon, Lacoste, Downtown Spirits, TalkShopLive, Huck’s, Wing, Nobody’s Child, IKI, Pixevia, Archive, Therabody, Outform, Kingfisher, Boots UK, Ocula Technologies, Ikea, Carrefour Belgium, Matalan, and McDonald’s.

And this week we’re focusing on IKI Lithuania, a supermarket chain owned by REWE Group, that has launched AI driven age estimation technology in its stores. It worked with StrongPoint, IKI, and Yoti on the project.

In a LinkedIn post, Julius Stulpinas, SVP Products at StrongPoint Group, said: “Today (Wednesday, 11th June) I had the pleasure of participating in a press conference announcing the launch of age estimation technology in retail – a first for the Lithuanian market.”

“Together with our strategic partner IKI, we’re introducing a truly innovative, privacy first solution that allows customers to verify their age instantly and securely using AI – no ID required. This is a major step forward in combining regulatory compliance, customer convenience, and cutting-edge technology in physical retail.”

He added: “A heartfelt thank you to Nijole Kvietkauskaite (CEO, IKI Lithuania) and her team, for visionary leadership and trust in innovation. Your openness to bold ideas makes partnerships like this possible. Huge congratulations to the StrongPoint and Yoti teams for delivering this breakthrough. You continue to raise the bar for what’s possible in modern retail.”

RTIH AI in Retail Awards

RTIH, organiser of the industry leading RTIH Innovation Awards, proudly brings you the first edition of the RTIH AI in Retail Awards, which is now open for entries.

As we witness a digital transformation revolution across all channels, AI tools are reshaping the omnichannel game, from personalising customer experiences to optimising inventory, uncovering insights into consumer behaviour, and enhancing the human element of retailers’ businesses.

With 2025 set to be the year when AI and especially gen AI shake off the ‘heavily hyped’ tag and become embedded in retail business processes, our newly launched awards celebrate global technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world and the resulting benefits for retailers, shoppers and employees.

Our 2025 winners will be those companies who not only recognise the potential of AI, but also make it usable in everyday work – resulting in more efficiency and innovation in all areas.

Winners will be announced at an evening event at The Barbican in Central London on Wednesday, 3rd September.

This will kick off with a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a three course meal, and awards ceremony in the Garden Room.

Source: Retail tech Innovation Hub