Join Sarah Ward, Executive Director of The Gift & Lifestyle Consortium, and industry experts for a day of honest conversation, practical advice and sector insight designed to support independent retailers and small creative businesses navigating today's changing retail landscape.

Drop into the Business Hub throughout the day to connect, ask questions and share the challenges facing your business, alongside two lunchtime talks exploring the issues and opportunities shaping independent retail.

At 12pm, Sarah Ward presents The Gift & Lifestyle Sector in 2026: The New Rules of Relevance, exploring the shifts transforming the sector – from changing consumer expectations, social commerce and AI to localism, margin pressure and supply chain resilience. Expect practical advice, fresh insight and actions you can take back to your business.

Then at 12:30pm, Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, explores The Challenges and Opportunities for Independent Retailers. With the UK high street under continued pressure but demand for independent retail remaining strong, Andrew will look at how ambitious local businesses can turn today's challenges into opportunities.

Also available throughout the day will be Anna Jones, National Retail Lead at WorkNest, offering employment and HR expertise, and George Pilling, Director of E-Kwip Dynamics, sharing insights on finance systems, operational efficiency and business growth.

No booking required – simply drop into the Business Hub and join the conversation.

Catherine is a small business retail expert, founder of The Resilient Retail Club, a Forbes.com contributor on the subject of starting and scaling a product business, a judge of the Good Retail Awards, on the Editorial Board of Modern Retail, featured as an expert commenter in national newspapers and radio, and a frequent writer and speaker on the retail industry at various trade shows and industry-led events across the country. She was also recently voted the top sales adviser in the UK by Enterprise Nation, and named one of the top 100 retail influencers in the world by Rethink Retail.

Catherine Erdly will be taking over The Business Hub on Monday 14 September. Catherine will bring together expert conversations, practical workshops and one-to-one advice covering everything from Christmas stock and marketing to cash flow, sales and growth. Drop in for the live podcast recording or pre-book one of the limited-capacity workshops and Retail ROAR Strategy Clinics for practical advice you can take straight back to your business.

Looking for some 1-to-1 advice? Catherine will also be hosting drop-in sessions from 15:00–17:00. No need to book – just drop by the Business Hub and bring your questions!

Katy Norton and Lynsey Abbott are former Heads of Buying and the founders of Buying & Beyond and The Buyers Club – a thriving membership community created by buyers, for buyers. With more than 30 years of combined experience across leading UK retailers, they help businesses strengthen buying strategies while supporting and developing the next generation of retail buyers. Through their consultancy, podcast, events and Buyers Club community, they share practical insight, spark meaningful conversations and champion better buying across the industry.

Taking over the Top Drawer Business Hub on Tuesday 15 September, Katy and Lynsey will bring The Buyers Club to life. They'll be on hand throughout the day for informal drop-in conversations, offering practical advice, industry insight and the opportunity to connect with fellow buyers. They'll also host a workshop exploring the evolving role of the modern retail buyer, the skills that will define the future of buying, and how curiosity, creativity and commercial thinking can help buyers stay ahead in a rapidly evolving retail landscape.