Retail Congress 2026

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Join other independent jewellery retailers for a day of learning, knowledge sharing and networking at the 2026 Retail Congress, sponsored by Goodman Bros.

This year's theme, "Growth amid a discretionary spending squeeze," will explore how to grow your business and revenue during periods of economic uncertainty and reduced investment.

It is a must-attend event if you're an independent jewellery retailer looking to navigate the challenges and opportunities available in 2026.

When: 2nd June - 9am registration - 9.30am start - 4.30pm

Where: Drayton Manor Resort, Tamworth

BOOKINGS NOW CLOSED

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The Day

This one-day event continues the JBN's year-round mission of delivering value through shared knowledge and experience. It enables business leaders to benchmark their businesses against other retail jewellery businesses while absorbing new ideas and ways of working through guest speakers and targeted group activities.

Ticket Pricing

NAJ Members - £245 +VAT
Non-Members - £295 +VAT

The Sponsor

Family-owned distributor and wholesaler Goodman Bros. joins the Retail Congress as the headline sponsor.

Through a range of retail services and products, including Connoisseurs, Inverness ear piercing, Lox and Perma Jewel, they support retailers to improve service and after-sales care, provide retail partners with market-leading service and solution brands, help increase retailers’ sales revenues and footfall and add value to the buying experience and retail theatre.

"Goodman Bros is delighted to be the exclusive product supplier supporting this year’s Retail Congress, an event we know plays a vital role in championing and strengthening independent retail jewellers across the UK. We are proud to be part of an event that brings the industry together to share insight, innovation and best practice."

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Confirmed Speakers

Roisin Hurley-Gondim – Driving Retail Performance with 'On the Spot' Feedback

With more than 25 years of international retail experience, Roisin Hurley‑Gondim has built a career driving sales results, developing high‑impact training programmes and elevating service standards across global luxury brands. Most recently, as Global Director of Retail Excellence at Burberry, she influenced performance and culture across more than 400 stores worldwide.

Roisin brings a deep understanding of how culture, mindset and leadership shape customer experience and commercial success in different markets. Coming from a family of elite athletes, she draws heavily on sport psychology and coaching techniques to help businesses unlock potential and build high‑performing teams.

At Retail Congress 2026, Roisin’s session will explore the importance of providing ‘on the spot’ feedback to drive retail performance, alongside what it genuinely means to be client‑centric in today’s competitive environment. Delegates will leave feeling empowered and equipped to grow their businesses by placing both customer experience and team development at the heart of their strategy.

Glynn Jones — Challenges & Opportunities Facing the Jewellery Retail Sector

Glynn Jones, the Bank of England’s Midlands Agent and a seasoned economist, will open the Congress with an expert overview of the current economic landscape. With a career spanning consultancy, regional economic development, academia and senior roles at the Bank of England, Glynn brings deep insight into the forces shaping the independent jewellery retail market today. His session will cut through the noise to highlight the key challenges retailers must prepare for, and the opportunities they can seize, with clarity and authority. Expect a sharp, informed briefing that will leave attendees better equipped to navigate uncertainty, plan confidently and make smarter strategic decisions.

Liz Barclay — How to Access Support to Enable Profitable Growth

Liz Barclay, former UK Small Business Commissioner and long-standing champion of small and micro businesses, brings a wealth of hands‑on experience from every sector—retail, hospitality, agriculture, construction and beyond. Now leading Business111.com, she helps business owners make sense of the often-confusing landscape of public and private support. In this session, Liz will demystify the tools, resources and organisations that can help independent jewellery retailers grow sustainably and profitably. Attendees will gain practical ideas, clarity on where to turn for support, and a renewed confidence that growth is not only possible but achievable with the right guidance.

Dr John Pates — Enabling Your Leadership Qualities to Thrive

Dr John Pates, a chartered performance psychologist with over three decades of experience in elite sport, business and high-performance environments, brings a powerful blend of neuroscience, leadership insight and practical psychology to the stage. Having coached Olympic athletes, senior executives and global organisations, he knows precisely what drives people to give more than the minimum. In this session, John will reveal how leaders can inspire genuine discretionary effort by shaping mindset, emotional tone and everyday behaviours. Attendees will leave equipped with clear, actionable strategies to build trust, spark positive emotions, create conditions for flow, and embed leadership habits that drive purpose and accountability while transforming how teams perform and thrive.

Olivia Duvall — A Customer Experience That Secures 60% Retention

With over 15 years in the luxury cruise sector, Olivia Duvall has mastered the art of designing guest experiences that keep customers coming back, so much so that Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises enjoy industry‑leading retention rates of over 60%. As Manager of Entertainment Operations & New Build Ops, she has shaped experiences that inspire lifelong loyalty in a market where discretionary spend is increasingly hard‑won. Olivia’s session reveals how exceptional, emotionally resonant service—not just what guests do, but how you make them feel—creates unforgettable moments and repeat business. Attendees will walk away with powerful insights they can apply immediately to strengthen loyalty, elevate service, and turn customers into genuine advocates.

*speakers subject to change