What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Retail Speaker?

Hiring a retail keynote speaker can invigorate your team with cutting-edge industry insights and consumer trends, ultimately driving business growth. In today’s market, customer experience is paramount - 86% of buyers are willing to pay more for a great customer experience, and 72% of customers will share a positive experience with six or more people. A talented retail speaker will highlight such consumer habits, showing how exceptional service and retail awareness can boost brand loyalty and sales. With 38% of UK consumers now prioritising “spending on experiences”, and 43% “living in the moment” rather than planning long-term, retail experts help businesses adapt to these lifestyle shifts. The result is an informed, motivated audience ready to leverage retail insights - from customer behavior to emerging trends - for a positive impact on your organisation.

What Can We Learn From Retail Experts?

Retail experts offer adaptable insights that reach far beyond the shop floor. They teach us how to foster customer-centric cultures, innovate in response to consumer trends, and lead teams through industry changes. From enhancing brand reputation to mastering omnichannel strategies, these speakers draw on real-world success and failures to deliver actionable lessons. Audiences learn the importance of agility – how to pivot when market conditions change and continuously engage the modern consumer. Such expertise is invaluable in today’s fast-paced retail landscape and can be applied across sectors to improve business performance.

Who Are the Best Retail Speakers Trending in the UK?

This official selection of the best retail speakers based in the UK was determined using vetted data collected from 132 business-themed events, including exclusive speaker evaluations and comprehensive audience polls. These retail experts have inspired businesses to innovate, improve customer experiences and achieve retail success:

• Gerald Ratner – Former CEO of the Ratners jewellery chain
• Jo Malone CBE – Founder of luxury fragrance brands Jo Malone London and Jo Loves
• Andrew McMillan – Former Head of Customer Service at John Lewis
• Justin King – Former CEO of Sainsbury's and Non-Executive Director of M&S
• Sahar Hashemi OBE – Co-founder of Coffee Republic and Skinny Candy
• Peter Cowgill – JD Sports' Chairman, Non-Executive of United Carpets and Better Bathrooms
• Roger Saul – Founder of luxury brand Mulberry
• Claire Harper – Founder of IndiaCoco and Ex-Mamas & Papas' Marketing Director
• Mary Portas – The Founder of Portas and Co-Chair of the Better Business Act
• Sir Terry Leahy – Former Tesco CEO who led the supermarket’s rise to the UK’s #1 retailer

1. Gerald Ratner

Gerald Ratner is a British businessman and retail speaker whose candid business stories captivate audiences. As the former Chief Executive of Ratners Group, he expanded his family jewellery business from 130 stores to 2,500 outlets, achieving £120 million in revenue. Famously, a single offhand remark in a speech nearly toppled his retail empire – an experience that led to one of the UK’s most notorious business lessons. Demonstrating resilience, Gerald rebounded by launching new ventures (including a successful health club and online jewellery brand). Now, as a speaker, he shares how he turned almost certain failure into global success, offering insightful lessons in reputation management and perseverance. Gerald’s humorous honesty about his “rise and fall… and rise again” keeps audiences both entertained and inspired. His story proves that with determination and adaptability, leaders can overcome setbacks – a powerful message for any business audience.

Official Testimonial for Gerald

“Gerald was excellent. We have no hesitation in recommending him.” – Toyota

2. Jo Malone CBE

Jo Malone CBE is an internationally renowned entrepreneur and keynote speaker, celebrated for her creativity and business acumen in the luxury retail sector. Best known as the visionary founder of Jo Malone London, Jo built her eponymous fragrance line from a small kitchen enterprise into a cult global brand, before selling it to Estée Lauder in 1999. She continued her entrepreneurial journey with the launch of Jo Loves in 2011, a innovative fragrance brand that reflects her integrity and creativity. Honoured with an MBE in 2008 and a CBE in 2018 for services to the beauty industry and British economy, Jo’s inspiring story encompasses triumph over adversity – including overcoming dyslexia and breast cancer. As a speaker, Jo Malone shares heartfelt anecdotes about building an authentic brand and “how she intends to change the way the world wears fragrance”. Audiences are drawn to her warm, down-to-earth style and the entrepreneurial insights of a true “scent maverick” who turned passion into a multi-million-pound enterprise.

Official Testimonial for Jo

“Touching, realistic and full of determination – good insights from an entrepreneur at a late stage.” – Feedback from News International

3. Andrew McMillan

Andrew McMillan is a sought-after retail and customer experience speaker, famed for shaping the gold standard of customer service at John Lewis. During nearly 30 years with the John Lewis Partnership, Andrew led the customer service culture that helped the department store chain become synonymous with quality service. As Head of Customer Service, he managed over 30,000 staff and proved the direct link between engaged employees and excellent customer experiences. Now the Director of consultancy Engaging Service, Andrew shares strategies to bridge the gap between employee engagement and customer satisfaction. He is no stranger to leadership, having also lectured at top business schools and judged national customer experience awards. Audiences appreciate Andrew’s practical guidance on building customer-centric teams and sustaining service excellence in any organisation. His keynote talks – rich with real examples from the shop floor and boardroom alike – leave listeners with actionable ideas to embed a service-driven culture that sparks growth.

Andrew’s Official Speaking Topics

• Retail and Business
• Consumer Behaviour
• Customer Service and Experience
• Business Strategy
• Business Competitiveness
• Event and Conference Host

4. Justin King

Justin King CBE is one of Britain’s most respected retail leaders, best known for transforming Sainsbury’s as CEO, where he tripled profits and delivered an 85% shareholder return. With over 30 years in customer-focused industries, from launching Häagen-Dazs in the UK to leading food at Marks & Spencer and revitalising Sainsbury’s, Justin knows what drives consumers and growth. Appointed CBE for services to retail, he now shares his insights as a keynote speaker, offering practical lessons on leadership, customer loyalty, and brand transformation. His experience guiding household names makes him an exceptional speaker for retail and business audiences alike.

Official Testimonial for Justin

"We asked him to be motivational and personal and he did not disappoint." - Confederation of British Industry

5. Sahar Hashemi OBE

Sahar Hashemi OBE is a dynamic keynote speaker on entrepreneurship, famed for energising audiences with her “anyone can do it” approach to business. She first made waves as co-founder of Coffee Republic, the UK’s first American-style coffee bar chain, which grew to over 110 stores with a £30 million turnover. A former solicitor-turned-entrepreneur, Sahar went on to found the confectionery brand Skinny Candy and author bestselling books (Anyone Can Do It and Start Up Forever). In 2012 she was awarded an OBE for services to the UK economy and charity. Sahar’s speeches spark innovation in even the most traditional workplaces – she is commended for building creative, customer-centric and resilient workplace cultures where a “can do” spirit is paramount. Drawing on her journey from kitchen-table startup to global business, she outlines habits that make organisations more agile, entrepreneurial and customer-focused. With warmth and enthusiasm, Sahar Hashemi inspires leaders to “ignite the entrepreneurial energy” within their teams and embrace change outside their comfort zones.

Sahar’s Official Speaking Topics

• Igniting Creativity & Innovation
• Entrepreneurial Leadership – Encouraging Entrepreneurial Behaviour in a Corporate Environment
• Customer Service – Stepping into the Customer’s Shoes
• Embracing Change – Working Outside Your Comfort Zone
• Persistence & Resilience

6. Peter Cowgill

Peter Cowgill is a seasoned retail leader and former CEO of JD Sports, credited with transforming the brand into one of the UK’s most profitable retailers. Under his leadership, JD expanded internationally, opening stores across Europe, Asia, and Australia, and achieving headline profits of over £350 million. With decades of experience in business growth, consumer strategy, and retail innovation, Peter offers practical insights into scaling success. His talks draw from real-world leadership and management experience, inspiring audiences to think strategically and act decisively. As a speaker, he brings sharp commercial acumen and proven expertise to every event.

7. Roger Saul

Roger Saul is a legendary figure in British retail, best known as the founder of Mulberry – the luxury fashion brand he started in 1971 with just a £500 loan from his parents. Under Roger’s 30-year leadership, Mulberry became synonymous with English style and craftsmanship, expanding internationally and even earning the Queen’s Award for Export for its success in global markets. After floating the company on the stock exchange and later stepping down, Roger reinvented himself as a champion of sustainable business. In 2004, he established Sharpham Park, a 1,000-acre organic farm in Somerset, and launched the Kilver Court designer retail outlet – ventures that marry entrepreneurial spirit with environmental values. As a keynote speaker, Roger Saul draws on his remarkable journey in fashion retail, hospitality (he opened the Michelin-starred Charlton House Hotel) and organic food to deliver rich insights on branding, innovation and adaptability. 

Official Testimonial for Roger

“Amazing, what an entertaining, inspirational speaker – well worth getting up for on my day off!” – Heather, Brilliant Red

8. Claire Harper

Official Testimonial for Claire

"Claire perfectly understood what the client was after and delivered a very relevant talk. On this note, it was easy to work with Claire and she was eager to shape her talk according to the client’s needs." - Havas

9. Mary Portas

Mary Portas is one of Britain’s leading retail experts, known for transforming the high street and redefining how brands connect with consumers. From designing Harrods’ iconic windows to serving as Creative Director at Harvey Nichols, she has shaped the look and feel of modern retail. Founder of Portas, she’s advised luxury names like Swarovski, Louis Vuitton and Mercedes-Benz. Commissioned by the UK government to conduct The Portas Review, Mary understands retail from shop floor to strategy. A celebrated TV presenter and author, she delivers engaging keynotes on consumer behaviour, brand purpose, and revitalising high streets—making her a standout retail speaker.

Official Testimonial for Mary

"She was excellent and was fab, she did not speak about being a woman but showed what a strong businessperson is about!" - Accenture 

10. Sir Terry Leahy

Sir Terry Leahy is an iconic retail leader whose strategic vision transformed Tesco from a mid-market grocer into a retail powerhouse. Rising from a marketing executive who helped launch the Tesco Clubcard, Terry became CEO of Tesco in 1997 and spent 14 years at the helm. Under his leadership, Tesco grew to capture 30% of the UK grocery market (up from 20%) and expanded into the world’s third-largest retailer, serving millions of customers. Knighted in 2002 for services to food retail, Sir Terry introduced innovations in global branding, supply chain management and customer loyalty that set new industry standards. He was named Fortune European Businessman of the Year in 2004 for his achievements. Today, as a speaker and advisor, Terry Leahy distills decades of experience into actionable insights on leadership, customer focus and business transformation. 

Book a Retail Speaker Today

Retail keynote speakers deliver tangible benefits – from boosting customer satisfaction and sales to inspiring innovation in your team. By sharing insider knowledge and real success stories, they equip businesses with the tools to thrive in a fast-evolving retail landscape. To hire an expert on the retail industry, browse our roster of retail speakers, call us at 0207 1010 553 or fill out our contact form.

This exclusive article on the top retail speakers to hire in 2026 was authored by Sophia Reed and has been vetted by exclusive research conducted by Champions Speakers across 132 events between 2022 and 2024, and vetted information. 

An image of the top 10 retail speakers to hire, selected by Champions Speakers Director of Sales, Sophia Reed.

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