Adam Jay, CEO of fashion resale platform Vinted, has once again been named as the top retail innovator in the 2025 Retail Disruptors & Innovators report, released today by Retail Insider in partnership with the Retail Technology Show (RTS), the flagship event that connects retail’s changemakers with leading tech providers.
The 2025 Retail Disruptors & Innovators report is an annual report championing progressive individuals from across the sector, who are driving seismic change across the retail landscape. From industry visionaries, revolutionaries and creative thinkers, the report, which is curated by Retail Insider’s Glynn Davis and Retail Insider’s Advisory Panel, highlights the high achieving individuals who are redefining retail.
Named as 2025’s top retail disruptor, Adam Jay holds on to his #1 position for the second year in a row, having continued to grow Vinted’s pre-loved marketplace at pace while simultaneously putting second-hand and circular retail models back at the forefront of fashion.
Its removal of sellers’ fees and the recent expansion into hosting business sellers are contributing to its ongoing revenue growth. Now Europe’s leading second-hand fashion marketplace, Vinted recently announced the launch of its first-ever brand platform, ‘New Again’, which will pave the way for expansion beyond clothing, while supporting the growing trend for second-hand fashion. Vinted’s latest Impact Report revealed that two thirds (65%) of its members’ wardrobes are made of a quarter of pre-owned items, highlighting the continued demand for greener fashion and desire to consume more sustainably.
Vinted’s Adam Jay was followed by Carl Pei, Founder & CEO of Nothing, a fast-growth challenger smartphone and tech brand that’s aiming to make tech and gadgets “fun again” in second place, while third place was shared by brothers and co-founding duo of performance sportswear brand, Castore.
Top 10 Retail Disruptors for 2025
- Adam Jay, CEO, Vinted
- Carl Pei, Founder & CEO, Nothing
- Tom and Phil Beahon, Co-Founders, Castore
- Clare Hornby, Founder, ME+EM
- George & Michael Heaton, Co-Founders, Represent Clothing
- Jenna Meek and Jess Hunt, Co-Founders, REFY
- Olivia Ferdi, Co-Founder, Trip
- Paige Williams, Founder, P. Louise
- Joe Wilkinson, Founder & CEO, Mile
- Jezz Skelton, Founder & CEO, Abbott Lyon
Fashion performed strongly within the top 10 disruptors, with high-end DTC-only fashion brand ME+EM’s Founder, Clare Hornby, coming in fourth, following expansion into the U.S. and a first UK flagship store opened in London. Meanwhile, luxury streetwear Represent’s founders, George and Michael Heaton, came in fifth and Joe Wilkinson, Founder of Mile, an invite-only, membership subscription service for luxury fashion purveying ‘unsold’ stock from brands including Missoni, took ninth spot, having made the Top 30 in the 2024 Retail Disruptor’s Report.
Also within the top 10 disruptors were brands making big waves on social commerce channels — founder of cosmetic brand P. Louise, Paige Williams, came in at #8, after run-away, record-breaking success on TikTok Shop, which saw the beauty brand generate over £1.5 million in sales during a 12-hour live shopping event on the platform. Another social-sensation and beauty brand, REFY, best known for its Brow Sculpt product, saw its Co-Founders Jenna Meek and Jess Hunt take sixth place, after continued social success and a recent tie-up with Sephora catapulted them into the U.S. market.
Retail Insider’s Glynn Davis commented: “Despite the unbelievably fast-changing retail and technology landscape, our report remains resolutely fixed on seeking out those individuals who are having an impact on this constantly changing environment. Bringing you some real stars of the retail sector, we search for those individuals who are disrupting the established practices and driving change in the industry.”
Matt Bradley, Event Director at the Retail Technology Show, added: “Once again, Glynn and his Retail Insider Advisory Board have done a stellar job in discovering and shining a light on those disruptors who are reimagining retail. Whether it’s blending innovation with compelling retail offers, bringing new, greener ways for shoppers to consume goods, or optimising operating models and channel mix, the top 10 disruptors are showcasing the art of the possible and shaking up the status quo of the sector.”
The tech disrupting retail
Expanding its show floor to meet exponential demand, RTS 2025 will feature even more disruptive innovations from 400+ suppliers, offering solutions that power every part of retail. From Retail Media to Augmented Reality (AR), AI and data solutions, through to store and online analytics, logistics and supply chain optimisation, RTS offers something for every retailer looking for transformative tech. In addition, RTS 2025’s Start-Up Superstars offers retailers a behind-the-curtain peek at so-far unseen solutions, while the Retail Futures stand, in partnership with Commerce Futures, will shine a spotlight on ecommerce solutions.
Register for free to attend RTS 20205, here.
