Retail leaders, senior executives and challenger brands have been confirmed for the 2026 conference programme at Retail Technology Show (RTS), which will return to London’s ExCeL on 22 and 23 April.
The event, which introduces a new disco-themed creative direction for 2026, is expected to welcome more than 16,000 senior retail professionals across two days. Alongside its exhibition, RTS will host a conference programme featuring more than 125 speakers across four tracks: Retail Media, AI & Data; Loyalty, Customer Experience & Personalisation; Leadership, Cybersecurity & Economy; and Sustainability, Supply Chain & Innovation.
Conference highlights
Following the earlier announcement of TALA co-founder Grace Beverley as a headliner, RTS has now confirmed a further group of speakers from across UK and international retail.
Day one opens at 09.40am on the Supanova Stage with a session featuring Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, in conversation with retail commentator Kate Hardcastle MBE. The discussion will focus on recent policy developments affecting the sector and their implications for retail innovation.
At the same time on the Spark Stage, David Clark, Chief Customer Officer at Frasers Group, will examine the development of retail media networks, drawing on examples from the group’s ELEVATE platform. The session will explore the use of first-party data to support monetisation and omnichannel customer experience.
Later that morning, at 11am, Mark Blundell, Chief Retail Officer at Harrods, will take part in a fireside discussion on customer experience and loyalty in the luxury sector.
AI, data and cyber resilience
Artificial intelligence is a key theme across the programme. At 1.15pm on day one, Ryan den Rooijen, Managing Director of AI & Monetisation at Currys, will outline approaches to AI deployment aimed at improving outcomes for customers and colleagues.
At 3.15pm, Amine Mekouar, Vice President of Data & AI at beauty retailer Aroma Zone, joins Nikki Baird of Atpos Retail for a panel discussion on agentic AI and its impact on operational efficiency and customer engagement.
The second day of the conference includes a keynote at 10.10am from Rob Elsey, Chief Digital & Information Officer at the Co-operative Group, focusing on cyber risk and resilience. Elsey will reflect on the organisation’s response to a cyberattack that affected the business in the previous year and share lessons for the sector.
This is followed at 11.30am by a session with Anthony Houghton, Group Chief Executive of Holland & Barrett.
“Insight underpins innovation, so we’re bringing together an all-star line-up of the sector’s sharpest minds to help retailers unpick the most pressing challenges, the hottest debates and the critical topics that will redefine the next wave of retail evolution,” said Matt Bradley, Founder & Event Director at RTS. “That includes not shying away from taboo topics, enabling a platform for the bold discussions needed to help retailers navigate change, mitigate risk and build greater resilience.”
Exhibition programme
Away from the conference stages, the exhibition floor will host more than 450 technology providers, ranging from start-ups to large enterprise suppliers, presenting solutions across data, payments, operations, customer experience and supply chain.
Retail Technology Show 2026 is free to attend for retailers and consumer brands, with paid passes available for solution and service providers.
