Start-ups in retail technology are growing and Retail Week is highlighting some of the best. This week Adthena is in the spotlight.

Adthena is an intelligent search analysis tool that allows retailers to see how many shoppers are finding and clicking through to their websites, compared with their competitors. Chief executive and founder Ian O’Rourke explains more.

Key facts

Founded October 2012

Investment £1m

Retail partners Asda, Matalan, Tesco, Target, River Island and Ao.com

Founder Ian O’Rourke

What it does

Adthena is an analysis tool that enables retailers to boost online acquisitions by providing comparative insight into their pay per click advertising and that of their competitors.

The start-up’s technology provides a patented ‘whole market view’ of a retailer’s relevant searches and the level of click-throughs in comparison with the performance of rival businesses.

Chief executive and founder Ian O’Rourke says: “The platform provides detailed market insights, advert copy analysis, comprehensive reporting tools and powerful brand protection mechanisms.

“Our technology allows retailers to improve their own search strategy and performance to acquire more customers, and protect their trademarks.”

What problem it solves

Online retail is becoming increasingly attractive for shoppers and being able to search for and find a product quickly is a significant part of the channel’s growing popularity.

It is therefore important for retailers to ensure shoppers are able to find their products online before those of their competitors, as well as understanding how rival retailers are performing.

“Paid search is usually around half of digital advertising spend, representing a huge investment from retailers who are competing to be top of the search results pages,” says O’Rourke.

“Adthena provides increased customer acquisition through competitor gap analysis, market benchmarking, brand protection and improved offers and click-through rates.”

More information: Adthena.com