tRetail Labs and Partnerwise collaborate to promote industry transformation through AI

Retail technology specialist and analytics company tRetail Labs and recruitment company Partnerwise have partnered to produce a series of white papers aimed at guiding business leaders through the complexities of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption amid a fast-changing travel retail landscape. The Moodie Davitt Report will feature highlights of the reports across our platforms.

The partners noted that the shift towards AI-driven operations presents opportunities for businesses but also requires careful and considered navigation.

As AI becomes integral to business strategies, and with artificial general intelligence (AGI) just around the corner, senior C-suite executives in travel retail and food & beverage are grappling with a defining challenge: how to effectively integrate AI to drive growth, enhance customer experience and adapt to the future of work.

Recognising this critical need, tRetail Labs and Partnerwise said the initiative aims to provide the practical frameworks and actionable insights needed for companies to implement AI strategies and ensure their organisations are prepared for the future of work.

The series of five white papers will feature critical topics such as:

• AI use cases in travel retail and F&B
• Preparing for the AI revolution – workforce changes and the new skill sets required
• AI maturity index – benchmarking AI readiness
• Organisational structures in an AI-driven world
• KPI management, ethics, and compensation in the age of AI

The first white paper – ‘The Art of Possibilities: AI Use Cases in Travel Retail & Travel F&B’ – will be released this month, with the remaining papers published through to September. Each paper is designed to provide practical tools, insightful case studies and strategic frameworks for senior leaders to act on immediately.

Q&A with Sushanta Das and Jenny Dodds

Partnerwise Principal Partner Jenny Dodds brings 20 years of global experience in executive search, interim and talent advisory within travel retail. She has been at the forefront of multiple layers of critical leadership and interim hiring and strategic talent planning solutions that have enabled organisation and workforce transformation.

tRetail Labs is at the forefront of Agentic AI research and was recently selected as one of 11 startups to be inducted into Amadeus Startup Universe Class of 2025. CEO Sushanta Das is a seasoned industry player and an AI behavioural scientist. He has led AI technology initiatives within travel retail and F&B, helping organisations drive AI-powered transformations across their operations.

The Moodie Davitt Report President Dermot Davitt spoke with the two partners about the AI-driven transformation initiative they are leading.

AI is becoming an integral part of how businesses approach strategy and operations. What makes this AI initiative different for the travel retail and F&B sectors?

Sushanta Das: What differentiates this initiative is our ability to combine cutting-edge AI technology with a strong industry domain focus. At tRetail Labs, we’re spearheading research in Agentic AI, and soon we will launch nrtureAI, an AI companion platform that automates tasks in market research, business analysis and business development.

With AI companions driving intelligence and automation, we’re ensuring that AI isn’t just a tool for automation but a strategic partner in driving operational efficiency, customer engagement and business transformation.

Jenny Dodds: For me, it’s about understanding the human side of AI adoption. It’s not just about the technology but about how organisations realign their workforce to work alongside AI and complement rather than replace.

Through Partnerwise, I’ve seen firsthand how leaders need practical, actionable frameworks for workforce transformation. This initiative is unique because we’re not just offering technical solutions but a comprehensive roadmap to help CEOs, CHROs and senior leaders navigate AI integration at both the technology and human levels.

There are numerous AI-focused resources available today. What makes this white paper series stand out for C-suite executives in the travel retail and F&B sectors?

Sushanta Das: The key differentiator lies in the practicality and industry relevance of our approach. tRetail Labs isn’t just talking about AI concepts – we’re offering real-world case studies and actionable frameworks for AI integration. This series will help C-suite executives assess their AI maturity, identify gaps, and make informed decisions about how to integrate AI into their operations.

The focus isn’t just on the technology; it’s on driving business outcomes and improving customer experiences.

Jenny Dodds: The real value here is in tangible, actionable insights. We’ll provide leaders with customised strategies for workforce realignment and show how AI-driven automation can improve operational efficiency and look at the commercial impact.

It’s about giving senior leaders the tools to create an AI strategy that works within their organisation’s unique context, ensuring they remain competitive and agile as they adapt to the changing landscape.

The travel retail and F&B sectors are often complex, with multiple stakeholders and operational challenges. How does AI fit into this landscape?

Sushanta Das: AI fits perfectly within this landscape because it provides the ability to optimise complex operations – from supply chain management to personalised customer experiences. AI can analyse data from different sources, uncover patterns and provide actionable insights that drive decision-making.

It’s not just about replacing human roles; it’s about empowering employees to make better decisions, automate routine tasks and create more value for customers.

Jenny Dodds: Precisely. As the industry evolves, workforce dynamics will change, and AI will play a central role in supporting employees by handling routine tasks. This gives employees the space to focus on higher-value tasks. The challenge for leaders is to balance technology integration with a human-centred approach to ensure both operational efficiency and employee satisfaction.

Beyond the white paper series, what other initiatives are you planning to help organisations with their AI adoption?

Jenny Dodds: We’re launching a podcast series that will bring together industry leaders, AI experts and change-makers to discuss the future of AI in travel retail and F&B.

We will also plan a webinar in May to dive deeper into AI applications in our industry, focusing on the challenges and opportunities organisations face when adopting AI. Our goal is to empower organisations to make informed decisions rather than blindly jump into the AI race.

Sushanta Das: The webinars and podcast series are designed to provide leaders with deeper insights into the practical application of AI in their specific contexts. We want to help them create a consistent AI rhythm – a long-term strategy for AI integration that ensures they’re not just reacting to trends but building sustainable change.

Our mission is to empower organisations to make strategic, well-informed decisions that set them up for success in the future.

Early Registration for White Paper access

Through an exclusive partnership with tRetail Labs and Partnerwise, The Moodie Davitt Report will publish highlights of this valuable white paper series over coming months.

To receive the reports in full, and to access future podcast episodes that will touch on AI integration, workforce transformation and the frameworks for success, please register at the link below, providing your name and email address.

Click here to register.