Touker Suleyman brings more than 50 years’ experience across retail and is best known as the Founder of clothing manufacturer and brand owner, Low Profile Group, British menswear label Hawes & Curtis, and womenswear house Ghost. He joined Dragon’s Den in Series 13 and to date has pledged more than £3.8million in investments during his ten years on the TV show.

Taking place at London’s Excel on 22^nd – 23^rd April 2026, RTS will bring more than 16,000 senior retail professionals together for its most ambitious showcase of retail innovation to date, sharing insight and solutions to enable retailers and brands to scale, adapt and deliver long-term results.

Speaking on the Supernova Stage on Day 1 at 14:35, Suleyman will join Customer Whisperer, Kate Hardcastle MBE, for a fireside chat drawing on his decades of experience building and scaling businesses, turning around underperforming brands and backing early-stage ventures.  The session will also explore the realities of retail growth, strategies for resilience and long-term value creation.

A serial entrepreneur, Suleyman has a keen interest in supporting start-ups and invests in a number of small British companies spanning circular fashion, marketplaces and consumer products, including Loop Generation, Bikesoup, Matchstick Monkey, Little Rolla and Sonisk.

“Building and rebuilding businesses has taught me that success rarely comes without risk, but the right risks, taken with discipline and belief, will create long-term value,” commented Suleyman.  “Retail is an industry that rewards those prepared to back themselves, learn fast and stay close to both the detail and the customer – and that’s a conversation I’m keen to have with my sector peers at the Retail Technology Show in April.”

Matt Bradley, Founder & Event Director at RTS, commented: “Few figures in retail can match Touker’s depth and breadth of experience, from manufacturing and brand building to investment and turnaround leadership.  His ability to translate decades of lessons learnt from operating at the forefront of the sector into practical insight makes him an outstanding addition to our 2026 headline speaker line-up.”

Suleyman joins an all-star cast of headline speakers at RTS 2026 including M&S Chairman, Archie Norman, and brand founder, serial entrepreneur and digital broadcaster, Grace Beverley.

To register to attend RTS 2026, visit: https://www.retailtechnologyshow.com.  The event is free to attend for retailers and consumer brands.  Solution & Service Providers Passes are available.

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They will join other retail leaders on the charity’s board of trustees including Landsec’s managing director for retail Bruce Findlay, New Look’s former executive chairman Alistair George, and Matalan’s former chief customer and omni-channel officer Ali Jones.

Holland & Barrett’s CEO Anthony Houghton was also appointed as a trustee and non-executive director of the Retail Trust last year.

Tracey Clements has held leadership roles at Tesco and was chief operating officer at Boots UK & Ireland and senior vice president of mobility and convenience Europe at bp before joining Sainsbury’s operating board in September.

Matt Birch leads Amazon’s Fresh Grocery business across the EU and previously held senior leadership roles at Sainsbury’s and Central Co-op. He is also a trustee of the Felix Project, London’s largest food redistribution charity, and was previously a non-executive director of Mersey Care NHS Trust.

Tracey Clements, Sainsbury’s chief retail, logistics and supply chain officer, said: “I’m delighted to be joining the board of the Retail Trust as a trustee. It’s a charity with a long and proud history but what really excites me is its clear focus on the future of the retail frontline workforce, supporting people not just through today’s challenges but in building resilience, wellbeing and opportunity for the years ahead.”

Matt Birch, Amazon’s director for EU Fresh, said: “Supporting the people who power our industry is something I care deeply about. I’m honoured to be joining the Retail Trust’s board of trustees, helping contribute to their important work championing the wellbeing of retail colleagues across the UK.”

The Retail Trust works with more than 200 retailers to protect their staff’s wellbeing but its latest Retail People Index warned that wellbeing across the sector fell by 6 percent in 2025 as cost pressures on retail businesses increased.

The charity began a partnership with Mountain Warehouse last year to bring new wellbeing support to another 4,500 retail workers and relaunched its Let’s Respect Retail campaign to confront the scale of abuse facing staff.

It also completed a £1 million renovation of its Hugh Fraser Retirement Estate in Glasgow and marked the 70th anniversary of its Leylands Estate for retired retail workers.

Poundland and the Retail Trust announced a new partnership to support its 12,000 workers in January.

Chris Brook-Carter, chief executive of the Retail Trust, said: “Our charity provided vital support to tens of thousands of retail workers across the country last year and we’re extremely grateful to be welcoming Tracey and Matt to the Retail Trust as we carry on with work to help even more people in 2026.

Tracey and Matt have fantastic track records in developing and leading teams across the retail sector and will play an important role in ensuring the Retail Trust continues to evolve at pace and meet the needs of the entire retail workforce, alongside our other trustees.”

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Taking place at London’s ExCeL on 22^nd – 23rd April 2026, RTS will bring together more than 16,000 senior retail professionals to its largest-ever showcase of retail innovation, spotlighting the latest technologies shaping growth and long-term performance.

Speaking on the Supernova Stage on Day 2, Norman will join Customer Whisperer, Kate Hardcastle MBE, for a wide-ranging fireside chat exploring how deep-rooted customer trust, brand authority, technology innovation and the power of its own-brand product.

The session will also explore how M&S has doubled down on broadening its customer appeal, from social-first marketing and live shopping events to re-establishing itself as a High Street fashion destination. It will also look at how the retailer is using technology partnerships to embed sustainability across the business, spanning resale, circularity food redistribution and renewable energy and accelerate its global reach.

During his keynote, Norman will draw on his extensive retail experience and track record in business transformation and value creation. In 2025, his tenure as Chairman was extended to lead M&S through the next phase of its Reshaping for Growth strategy. He has also played a key role in re-shaping major retailers and brands including Kingfisher, Asda, ITV and Hobbycraft, and remains the only FTSE 100 Chairman to have been elected as a Member of Parliament, serving for eight years.

Matt Bradley, Founder & Event Director at RTS, commented: “Archie’s session was one of the standout moments of RTS 2025, with his no-holds-barred discussion and invaluable insights drawing a standing-room-only crowd, reinforcing just how strongly our audience wants to hear from Marks & Spencer.  As an iconic British retailer, M&S continues to set the pace, embedding technology and innovation across the business while maintaining the trust and confidence of customers in a fast-changing and unpredictable market.  We’re delighted to welcome Archie back to the Headline Stage in 2026 for what promises to be another unmissable conversation for retailers looking to drive long-term growth and customer connection.”

To register to attend RTS 2026, visit: https://www.retailtechnologyshow.com. The event is free to attend for retailers and consumer brands. Solution & Service Providers Passes are available.

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This year’s B&Q’s ‘Raise the Roof’ event has raised over £227k so far with more donations still coming in from stores nationwide. The jewel in the crown of the celebrations was the 24-hour themed dance-a-thon, which took place at the B&Q head office in Southampton. The gruelling dance marathon was spearheaded by none other than disco diva and B&Q Customer and Digital Director, Paddy Earnshaw.

In addition to this, B&Q colleagues across all corners of the UK took part in a fundraising extravaganza of activities, peppered with themed merchandise, as well as local communities letting loose in a fun-filled ‘house party’ themed celebration.

Complete with glitz, glam and fancy dress this year’s events smashed last year’s £220k fundraising record all in aid of Shelter and its partner charities Shelter Scotland, Shelter Cymru, Housing Rights and Focus Ireland.

Paddy Earnshaw said of the fundraising efforts: “It was great to see so many of my fellow B&Q colleagues joining in this year’s fundraising activities and taking to the dance floor.

At B&Q, we are always looking for ways in which we can help support important causes and are proud to work with Shelter, the leading housing and homelessness charity who shares our belief that everybody should have a safe and happy home!”

Participants of the danceathon grooved to an eclectic mix of chart-topping floor fillers, including We Built this City, Fix You and If I Had a Hammer.

B&Q’s annual ‘Raise the Roof’ fundraiser is a pivotal part of the retailer’s commitment to supporting Shelter and the vital work they do in helping defend the right to safe housing.

B&Q first launched its partnership with Shelter in 2017. Since then, B&Q’s colleagues’ and customers’ donations have completely funded Shelter’s DIY Skills Adviser Service whilst also supporting its essential frontline services, providing advice and practical help to those facing with housing issues or homelessness.

Andy Harris, Director of Income Generation at Shelter, said: “with the number of households facing homelessness the highest on record, Shelter’s work is more urgent than ever. We help hundreds of people and families impacted by the housing emergency every day, but we couldn’t do this without everyone who fundraises for us – including the brilliant efforts of the team at B&Q.

We want to thank the B&Q colleagues and customers across the country who gave it their all for the ‘Raise the Roof’ weekend, including throwing their best shapes on the dancefloor for Shelter. Our partnership means we can reach more people with specialist advice and practical support, and it means we can campaign for lasting change to make access to a safe home a reality for all.”

To donate to Shelter, please visit www.shelter.org.uk

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• IKEA UK growth underscored by a global sales increase of 5.7 percent, announced by Ingka Group
• FY23 marked by significant investment into sales channels, digital solutions and logistical operations, including the opening of a multi-million-pound customer distribution centre and three Plan and Order Points* in the northwest
• Sales of ‘People and Planet Positive’ products rose by over 40 percent, reflecting clear consumer demand to reduce costs and minimise waste across the home
• As supply chain costs begin to lower, IKEA UK announces clear intention to reduce prices in FY24
• To support co-workers, IKEA UK invested more than £12m in living-wage increases and additional benefits

IKEA UK has announced continued growth, with sales up by 11.9 percent for the 2023 financial year compared to FY22, generating a turnover of £2.46bn.

This strong UK performance during IKEA’s 80^th anniversary year comes as the wider Ingka Group announces global retail sales of EUR 41.7 billion, an increase of 5.7 percent on EUR 39.5 billion in FY22, and significant investment across its biggest markets, including more than EUR 4.5 billion in the US, UK, France and Spain alone.

Continued UK Investment 

Following investment in both physical channels and digital access, the retailer’s omnichannel journey has continued.

In FY23, 38.5 percent of total sales were made online (35.8% in FY22). As the popularity of online shopping continues to grow, IKEA UK opened a multi-million-pound distribution centre in Dartford, with the capacity to deliver one million orders annually. Enabling faster and more sustainable home deliveries to customers in London and the southeast, the new centre is operated by 100 percent renewable energy and operates a fleet of electric vehicles to fulfil orders, driving a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. Long-running environmental sustainability initiatives were also the focus of investment, including £4.5 million in EV charging infrastructure to enable 100 percent zero emissions deliveries by 2025.

In the northwest, three Plan & Order Points (smaller stores dedicated to kitchen, bedroom, and living room planning) in Aintree, Stockport and Preston have improved access to free planning support for millions. Increasing the retailer’s physical access to its customers continues to remain a priority, with the ambition for further locations in the northwest and beyond set to open in FY24 – in addition to the opening of our new city store on Oxford Street. In all, FY23 saw 1m new visits to IKEA UK stores – an uplift of 2.2 percent.

To meet customers in new, more locally accessible ways, a range of new services were also introduced including 15 new external locker pick-up points in collaboration with Shift (bringing the total to 24), and the trial of 12 mobile pick-up points across the UK in collaboration with Tesco.

In the digital space, IKEA has increased capacity and capabilities to meet its customers remotely. Be that online or over the phone, customers can access the same home furnishing expertise available instore, which has resulted in a 24 percent year-on-year growth in remote sales.

Peter Jelkeby, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA UK & Ireland, said: “Over the past 80 years, we have developed our offering, value chain and sales channels, supporting our vision to create a better everyday life for the many people. As we look back on the last year and forward to the next 80, we constantly ask ourselves, how what we do today can be done better tomorrow. Over the past year, we have made significant investments on this journey to create a more accessible, affordable and sustainable IKEA, to meet the evolving needs of UK households.”

Life at Home in a Cost-of-Living Crisis

With discretionary spend challenged and people spending more time at home, a look back at the products most in demand, tells an interesting story of priorities within it.

With many customers continuing to work remotely, demand for a more organised life was clear. Sales of IKEA’s highly adaptable PAX and KOMPLEMENT wardrobe systems increased by 49 percent and 39 percent respectively, with sales of the modular and customisable BESTÅ storage system growing by 25 percent.

In an acknowledgement of their ability to help save money and create a more sustainable life at home, IKEA’s ‘People and Planet Positive’ range also performed well. In FY23, sales of PPP products increased by 42 percent on the previous year, representing almost a third (31.8 percent) of overall sales for FY23, compared to a 24.6 percent share in FY22. Food waste was a key priority for customers, with sales of IKEA’s 365+ food containers increasing by 41 percent, as KORKEN storage jars and reusable bottle purchases grew by 23 percent.

As customers look to enhance their quality of life at home, health and wellness trends also impacted purchases. The last 12 months saw the sales of air purifiers almost double (+88 percent) compared to the previous year. The UPPÄTVIND air purifier, which came onto the market in October 2022, priced at £29 was the clear bestseller.

Jelkeby continues: “Despite economic and geopolitical instabilities, we remain committed to making a positive difference in our customers’ lives; especially for those with the thinnest wallets. Knowing that our customers continue to navigate a cost-of-living crisis, we absorbed significant cost increases to mitigate price rises as much as possible, investing in promotions, special offers, and, for the first time, an Easter Sale. As we see supply chain costs start to ease, we have a clear commitment to lowering prices accordingly – ensuring we remain firmly on the side of the many people.”

People

IKEA UK also continued its commitment to support employees during the cost-of-living crisis.

A £12m support package was rolled out across the financial year, and salaries were up 6 percent on average in January 2023 in a move that matched new Living Wage Foundation rates. Co-worker incentives such as travel season ticket discounts and free food options continued throughout the year and co-workers’ discount rate doubled (from 15 percent to 30 percent) across a range of more than 2,000 People & Planet Positive items.

Jelkeby concludes: “As we look back on a strong, though challenging year, I’m incredibly proud of our co-workers’ dedication and efforts. With our strong culture and performance mindset, we have a clear road ahead of us – to assemble a better future, together, by continuing to adapt, innovate and transform; meeting the needs of both people and the planet in the years to come.”

*IKEA Plan and Order Points are smaller stores dedicated to kitchen, bedroom, and living room planning where customers can seek home furnishing advice and expertise to help design their ideal space.

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The group, who are all members of the Bolton-based retailer’s customer relationship management (CRM) team, walked 19km around Rivington and Belmont in Lancashire to raise money for type one diabetes charity, JDRF.  

The sponsored walk raised £1,587, including a £470 boost from the AO Smile Foundation – the retailer’s charitable arm. Meaning, the team more than tripled their original target, which stood at £500. 

AO CRM manager Charlie Tuohy was diagnosed with type one diabetes in 2013, when she was 17 years old. When Charlie was first diagnosed, she had to give herself up to six injections of insulin per day and had to prick her finger every couple of hours to check her blood sugar.  

Thanks to research from JDRF and technological advancements, Charlie now wears an insulin pump and has a continuous glucose monitor sensor instead of having to prick her fingers.  

“I still have to constantly think about balancing my blood sugar so they don’t go too high or too low, but with more advances in technology I’ve been able to do anything I want in life,” she said. 

 “I’m so thankful to JDRF for everything they’ve done for me since I received my diagnosis, so I was really touched when my amazing team agreed to raise money for them. 

From giving me lots of helpful material when I was diagnosed, to funding life changing research that’s had an impact on my daily life, I really want to give back them. 

Doing the walk with the whole team was such a fun day, and it was a great opportunity to bond over the six hours it took us. The walk was challenging, but we stuck together as a team and made sure nobody got left behind.” 

Terence Lovell, fundraising and engagement director at JDRF UK, said: “We are so grateful to the team at AO for supporting our work at JDRF to find cures and support those living with type 1 diabetes.  This incredible fundraising walk has raised a brilliant £1,587 which will make a huge difference.” 

Head of CRM at AO, Craig Hogan-Farnworth said: “Type one diabetes is a condition that’s close to the CRM team, so it just felt right helping the charity try to find a cure.  

It was quite a challenge, but the whole team worked together to make sure everyone was able to complete the walk, they did amazingly well.

It was our first charity day as a team and we’re so thankful to AO for allowing us to swap some time at our desks to spend the day giving something back.”

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Graham will be sorely missed by his family, close-knit team and the broader creative industry.

Graham Sweet, a name synonymous with innovation and creativity, took a step back from the daily operations of the business around five years ago to care for his wife who had suffered a stroke. He left much of the day to day running in the capable hands of his son, Siôn Sweet, who has been an integral part of Graham Sweet Studios since 1996.

In recent years, Siôn assumed significant responsibility for the business, while still collaborating closely with his father to develop ideas and expand the company’s horizons.

Under Siôn’s leadership, Graham Sweet Studios Ltd is committed to preserving Graham’s legacy, and continuing the visionary work that Graham dedicated his life to.

Graham Sweet was not just an accomplished and forward-thinking designer, but he was also a compassionate gentleman who fiercely protected his family and friends. He enjoyed the company of others, and wholeheartedly believed in living life to its fullest.

Graham’s dedication extended beyond his immediate circle; he was a firm advocate for supporting budding talents in the design world, often going out of his way to extend a helping hand. His passion for his business and the products he created, coupled with his generous nature, earned him the respect and admiration of many.

Graham Sweet’s journey began as a window dresser at James Howells in Cardiff, under the guidance of the late John Fear, an esteemed Display Manager. In his early twenties, Graham embarked on an adventurous working holiday in New Zealand with his friend Les Brookes. During their travels, the two young men travelled the length of New Zealand, pushing a handcart known as “the Blob” while taking up odd jobs to sustain themselves.

It was also in New Zealand that Graham was to meet his wife, Noeline.

Graham’s creative talents led him to work as a window dresser in various department stores across New Zealand. He later moved to Australia, where he continued his work as a window dresser at Sydney’s David Jones Department Store.

Graham later worked as a ship’s photographer on the R.M.S Windsor Castle travelling between the UK and South Africa, before returning to the UK in 1968.

In 1969, he established the business, and opened his first studio in October 1970. In the early years, Graham invented a ground-breaking machine for cutting and shaping expanded polystyrene and other foam plastic materials. The sale of a patent on this innovative machine to a Japanese company, Matsui, provided the financial impetus for the business to grow.

Throughout the 1970s, Graham Sweet Studios developed Polystyrene Fabric Drapers and Towel Folders, which gained widespread popularity in department stores across the UK.

In the late 1980’s, Graham, along with his son David developed the RUSTLITE sculptures, and in 1996, the studio was commissioned to build a remarkable 5-metre-high Beam Engine for Messe Dusseldorf. This impressive creation, synchronised with artificial steam and sound effects, graced the main entrance hall of the EUROSHOP Exhibition.

In his later years, Graham continued to push the boundaries of polystyrene cutting, constantly evolving his craft, exploring new frontiers, as well as embracing technology.

We, his colleagues and employees, are honoured to have known such a hardworking and caring gentleman, and we will cherish his memory dearly. We are committed to continue his work with the same pride and dedication, to ensure that the future of Graham Sweet Studios Ltd is a promising one.

Graham Sweet was indeed one of a kind, and his impact on the creative world will endure through the ages.

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Arriving at Zip World in Aberdare, South Wales, the team took on the Phoenix zip line. The Phoenix is comprised of two separate zip lines, the “Big Zip (Alpha)” which is 920m long, and “Little Zip (Bravo)”, which is 650m long. Brave riders can travel up to 70mph over a picturesque lake. 

Kirst Davies, One Stop Area Manager, told us about the excitement on the day and how much they enjoy raising money for Tŷ Hafan. “We had a mixture of very excited colleagues and ones who were more nervous, but once we got started, everyone really enjoyed it. It was a rainy day but that didn’t spoil the fun!  

Raising money for Tŷ Hafan is very important to us, and we always have a lot of fun while doing it. In the past, we’ve completed an endurance bike ride from Cardiff to the Eiffel Tower, the Palma half marathon, a 10K race in Majorca, the Cardiff Half Marathon and the Barry 10K all in aid of Tŷ Hafan!”  

Sorrel Mayo, Senior Corporate Fundraiser at Tŷ Hafan spoke of her appreciation for One Stop’s hard work over the years: “One Stop never cease to amaze me with their incredible ability to raise vital funds for Tŷ Hafan. Since we started working with them, they have raised a phenomenal £184,253, which is truly incredible.   

The direct impact that these funds have had on families is very real and means we can provide vital care for children living with life-shortening conditions and support their families through some of the most difficult times anyone is ever likely to face.  

We almost totally depend on the generosity of businesses and the community to allow us to continue the important work we do and simply wouldn’t be able to do what we do without this help.   

We are truly thankful and extremely lucky to have support from One Stop and we can’t thank them all enough for the incredible effort, passion and drive they put into raising funds for Tŷ Hafan.” 

If you’d like to donate to Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice, you can visit their website: Regular donation – Tŷ Hafan 

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Shona’s new role will form part of the team at the SCS who look to inspire, inform and connect with the next generation of cosmetic scientists, from school level to lifelong learning. In the next year the society will continue to promote education, research, and collaboration to advance the science of cosmetics and will look to work more closely with other industry groups to make progress on joint concerns that are affecting the industry.

Shona commented “I’m delighted to be taking on the President role at the SCS and am very much looking forward to helping the society to achieve its mission to inspire, inform and connect. I am truly passionate about cosmetic science, and I want to make sure that it is accessible to everyone. Last year we launched the Introduction to Cosmetic Science Course, which is a module designed for people with a non-scientific background who want to learn about the real science of the cosmetic industry. In my new role, I’m keen to continue to support and promote this course and help more people have a scientific understanding of the beauty products they use every day.

The SCS have also launched a subgroup called Future Soc aimed at our new young members and I want to support them so that they can have the great industry experience I have had. One of the biggest things I have gained from the society is friendship, I have been lucky enough to meet many interesting people through the society and have learnt so much from them.

I would also like to thank everyone at Superdrug for their continued support throughout my career and in my role at SCS.”

The SCS has been a constant throughout Shona’s career, and she became a member shortly after she first joined the cosmetic industry in 1989. Initially this was through education when she studied for the Diploma in cosmetic science, but in more recent years she has been actively involved in the society on several committees.

Shona will also be working closely with members of her Superdrug team at the society, with colleague Monika Szymanska, who has previously sat on several SCS committees, elected as a member of the SCS council. The council works with the President to deliver the goals of the society. Amber Duke- Cohen at Superdrug is also actively involved in the society as a member of the social committee and will work closely with Shona to develop a plan for the SCS’ social program in the coming year and Betty Cheng from Superdrug will also be joining the SCS as part of the Membership Committee.

In her role as President, Shona will be working with immediate past President, Sam Farmer, to push forward the 5-year strategy to modernise the SCS and ensure that the society delivers benefits long into the future. The aims of the society include promoting high ethical standards in cosmetic science, advance the science of cosmetics and toiletries and maximise the accessibility of society activities and encourage participation throughout the profession.

Simon Commins, Chief Commercial Officer at Superdrug commented “We are delighted for Shona as she takes on her new role as President. Superdrug as a retailer is really dedicated to investing in the development and support of the next generation, and so to have several members of the team going out and doing that in other areas of the industry is great to see. We congratulate Shona, Monika and Amber on their new roles and look forward to seeing the work that the SCS delivers over the next year.”

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