x-hoppers, an AI powered retail communication platform from Wildix, has announced a new partnership with WHSmith following a pilot.

The retailer is rolling out the platform across 300+ UK stores, starting with 32 priority locations. The first of these, its flagship location at Heathrow Terminal 5, is now live.

WHSmith selected x-hoppers to support its store teams with wireless headsets, a web app for head office and an AI powered assistant. The pilot began in late 2025 at Manchester Piccadilly station, one of WHSmith’s busiest travel locations. More than 43,000 smart notifications have been delivered to colleagues’ headsets, from store alerts and fridge and freezer monitoring to scheduled team updates and customer QR code alerts. This brings communication, alerts and requests together in one place and reduces reliance on manual processes.

In key categories, QR code notifications let customers request help on the spot, so teams can respond at the point of need. The same codes let delivery drivers contact store teams directly, minimising delays at drop-offs, and can be adapted to store-specific workflows. 

Over the course of the pilot, customers made almost 1,000 requests for help via QR codes. Compared with before x-hoppers was installed, WHSmith has seen QR codes deliver a sales uplift of up to +22% in key categories. 

Karl Stakes, Director of Operations at WHSmith, says: “Our colleagues need to be able to help customers quickly, especially when stores are busy. x-hoppers keeps our teams connected, so customers get help faster and colleagues are never on their own. The pilot showed what it can do, and we’re pleased to be rolling it out."

“x-hoppers was built to make retail teams more connected and effective,” says Graham Dixon, CTO at x-hoppers. “Seeing WHSmith achieve up to +22% sales uplift in the pilot and move to a roll-out across more than 300 stores shows the real, measurable value of uniting people, systems and AI on one platform.”

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

AI 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.