Jason Griffin has announced his departure from Starbucks where he spent the past 15 years, most recently serving as Technical Product Manager Principal. His next stop is Amazon Prime Air.

In a LinkedIn post, he said: "On 2nd October, I hung up my green apron after nearly 15 years at Starbucks. Over those years, I was part of how Starbucks modernised its store operations: migrating the inventory management user interface from websmart->PHP->NodeJS/React, building the first mobile count application on an iPod, launching Mobile Order & Pay, and finally RIO, the project that moved everything off the AS400 and onto modern infrastructure. That last one was the pièce de résistance."

He added: "Those years taught me what it means when a system goes down at 2am across 10,000+ stores and eight timezones. This week I joined Amazon Prime Air as Manager of Enterprise Systems and Infrastructure, supporting the supply chain behind Amazon's drone delivery programme. Prime Air is building something without a flight plan, excited to help chart that course. Grateful for the 15 years and for every partner who made the work worth doing. Turns out my next chapter ships by drone."

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Store operations will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards, which celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world, have now closed for entries. Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.

Check out our 2026 shortlists and finalists here.

We received a record number of entries this year and many fantastic examples of technology excellence driving transformative change across the global retail sector.

Congratulations to all those who made it through the initial submission process! It’s now over to our star studded judging panel who will decide the winners to be announced at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London. 

The event will be held on Wednesday, 4th November and consist of a drinks reception, three course meal, awards ceremony presided over by award winning stand-up comedian, presenter, actor and broadcaster, Aurie Styla, and after party until 1am.

Click here to book your place at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, 4th November.