Leading Market Intelligence Organization Recognizes Company's AI Voice Platform That Transforms Frontline Store Teams Into Real‑Time, Data‑Driven Operators
Columbus, Ohio — April 23, 2026 — x‑hoppers, the AI‑powered retail communication and operations platform by Wildix, today announced it has been named “In‑Store Bot Solution of the Year” in the fourth annual RetailTech Breakthrough Awards program. The program is conducted by RetailTech Breakthrough, an independent market intelligence organization that recognizes standout retail technology companies, products and services worldwide.
The RetailTech Breakthrough Awards recognize innovators shaping the future of retail through technology. The program evaluates solutions across categories including e‑commerce, omnichannel, AI‑driven analytics, automation, and in‑store innovation.
This year’s program attracted thousands of nominations from companies in more than 16 countries, underscoring the rapid pace of global retail transformation and investment in digital technologies.
Our technology is transforming the employee headset from a simple communication tool, empowering frontline staff and accelerating the efficiency of the store itself. The future impact of this technology is profound, as it enables a more agile, responsive and intelligent store environment. Customer-facing employees are the backbone of any retail business and should be connected not just to the store, but to the wider business. We'll continue to develop and deliver new operational standards for the future of retail, helping stores of all sizes move from chaos to clarity in the face of evolving consumer demands.
Graham Dixon
CTO of x‑hoppers
x-hoppers is redefining frontline communication through a hands-free, voice-powered interface that connects store associates to each other, AI assistance, and core business systems. Embedded in the solution are voice bots that power an agentic AI assistant designed to understand natural speech, trigger workflows and close the loop across multiple systems. Associates can access the voice bots simply by speaking into DECT headsets, providing real‑time, in‑ear support to associates anywhere on the sales floor.
Associates receive instant, voice-activated answers to complex product or procedural questions, effectively turning store employees into on‑demand experts. It also integrates with task management systems, enabling associates to create and update tasks through voice commands. In addition, the AI responds to spoken prompts, proactively creates tickets in the appropriate system, alerts the appropriate person or team and suggests the next operational step.
The AI analyzes alerts from integrated IoT devices, such as self-checkouts and smart fridges, routing issues to the right team member for faster response while automating routine tasks. This enables store associates to focus on customer service and sales, while improving communication, inventory visibility and real-time operational oversight.
x‑hoppers' smart retail communications is transforming the role of the store colleague. While most retail smart communications focus on customer-facing chatbots or back-office workflows, they ignore the critical aspect of the frontline worker. Though these employees are the face of the brand, they are often the most technologically disconnected, armed with little more than a walkie-talkie. x‑hoppers is the game-changer that fundamentally redefines the role of frontline staff and the efficiency of the store itself by bridging the last foot of the digital divide by connecting the store's digital brain directly to its human heart. We're so pleased to recognize x‑hoppers with the award for "In‑Store Bot Solution of the Year!"
Bryan Vaughn
Managing Director, RetailTech Breakthrough
About x‑hoppers
x‑hoppers is a smart retail communications solution with AI assistance, designed to improve store operations and customer experience. Powered by Wildix, a leading unified communications (UC) vendor with over 20 years of industry experience, x‑hoppers connects store associates to their in‑store colleagues and the wider business through a combination of wireless headsets, a mobile app, smart call points and AI‑driven features. With over 500 integrations and powerful built-in agentic AI, x‑hoppers provides all the tools retailers need to connect teams, train staff faster and serve customers smarter.
About RetailTech Breakthrough
Part of Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the RetailTech Breakthrough Awards program is the premier awards and recognition platform devoted to honoring excellence in retail technology companies, services and solutions around the world. The RetailTech Breakthrough Awards provide public recognition for the achievements of retail technology companies and products in categories that include store management, digital displays, checkout automation, workforce tools, smart dressing rooms and more. For more information visit retailtechbreakthrough.com.
Tech Breakthrough LLC does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in our recognition programs, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with award designations. Tech Breakthrough LLC recognition consists of the opinions of the Tech Breakthrough LLC organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Tech Breakthrough LLC disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this recognition program, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
Media Contact
- Deliah Mathieu, VP of Global Communications, x‑hoppers
- deliah.mathieu@wildix.com
- +1 949-241-0260
