Entries for the Elavon Retail Excellence Ireland Awards 2026 are now open!
Lyrath Estate Hotel, Kilkenny
The Retail Retreat 2026 is where ambitious retailers come together to think bigger, connect deeper, and shape what’s next.
Set in an inspiring environment away from the pace of day-to-day business, the retreat is designed to create space for strategic thinking, meaningful conversation, and genuine connection. Across two thoughtfully curated days, you’ll engage in powerful discussions, hear from industry leaders, and share insights with fellow retailers who understand both the challenges and the opportunities defining modern retail.
This is not a typical conference. It’s an immersive experience built around collaboration, practical insight, and peer-to-peer learning. Expect honest conversations, forward-thinking ideas, and actionable takeaways you can bring back to your business immediately.
From future trends and evolving consumer behaviour to innovation, growth strategies, and leadership, The Retail Retreat 2026 focuses on what truly matters – equipping retailers with the clarity, confidence, and connections to thrive in the year ahead.
Step away from the noise.
Reconnect with your purpose.
Shape the future of retail.
Our Speakers
More speakers announcements coming soon…
Chief Product Officer, Elavon Europe
Former CEO & Chairman, JD Sports
Director, Large Customer Sales, Google Italy & Iberia
Partner, Head of M&A, KPMG
Retail Futurist & Founder, Echochamber
Director, Tom Smyth & Associates
Founder & Director, Diamond Furniture
CEO, Excel Recruitment Group
CEO, Great Place to Work®
Director, Petstop
Co-Founder, beo
International Speaker
Head of People, Carrolls Irish Gifts
HR Director, Chadwicks Group
People & Culture Director, PHX Ireland
Co-Founder, The Couture Club
“Attending the Retail Excellence Retail Retreat gave me fresh ideas to enhance my store’s efficiency and customer experience. The connections I made here will be invaluable for future collaborations!”
— David K., Franchise Owner
Maeve is the Environment Social Governance (ESG) Manager with Boots Ireland. Prior to that Maeve worked with Accenture in their Corporate Citizenship department but her career began in retailing with Oxfam Ireland, where she worked for 20 years as a District Retail Manager. Her current role marries her love for retailing and her interest in social inclusion and the environment.
Paul Brooks co-founded SFD in 1998 with his brother David Brooks. SFD is a key international player in the supply of inspired retail environments to some of the UK’s top retail blue-chip fashion groups and many independents Brandyourself, with clients including Primark, River Island, Gap, House of Fraser and JD Sports among many others. With overall responsibility for sales and creative direction, Paul has spent decades at the forefront of retail design and store environments, working with some of the most recognised names on the British and international high street. A hands-on creative leader, he brings a wealth of knowledge on what makes a retail environment truly compelling — from store concept to customer experience.
Éanna Lynch is a senior retail executive with 20 years’ experience across premium and luxury retail, having held leadership roles with some of the world’s most recognised brands including Waterford | Wedgwood (Fiskars), Orlebar Brown (Chanel Group), DKNY and Hugo Boss. As Director of Retail & DTC at Waterford | Wedgwood, she led a £25M global operation across 25 locations, driving significant commercial transformation across both iconic heritage brands. Now working in a consultative capacity through Retail Excellence Advisory, Éanna partners with established and start-up retail businesses on growth strategy, omnichannel transformation, and operational excellence. A passionate advocate for people-first leadership, she is a compelling voice on the future of retail talent, culture and change management.

A seasoned retailer, who has led intensely challenging transitions and integrations from pure retail , to multichannel, omnichannel and digital B2C across all stages of company lifecycle and ownership structures. She has worked in Irish & international retailers from family-owned to NYSE listed, from start-up to liquidation.
Placing the customer at the heart of proposition and product strategy, Marion now leads a multi-billion euro business, bringing physical, social and community experiences to life in digital gaming, in regulated environments.
Marion is an expert at leading strategic evolution, defining the purpose & positioning of channels and focusing on the customer in their experience of your brand, wherever they want to do business with you.
Tommy Smyth is Director of Tom Smyth & Associates, one of Ireland’s most trusted HR consultancies supporting Irish and international employers since 1991. With deep roots in retail and expertise spanning HR, employment law and industrial relations, Tommy is a straight-talking, practical voice on the people challenges facing Irish retailers today. TSA is a long-standing partner of Retail Excellence Ireland.

Dave Morrissey has spent over 15 years driving growth across eCommerce and technology, from high-growth startups to global platforms. At Meta, he partnered with leading brands including HUEL, Alibaba, LEGO, Very and Gymshark to scale performance. He later led TikTok’s Retail and eCommerce Lifestyle team, supporting the growth of brands such as Represent, Adanola, THG, SharkNinja, eBay, Next and more.
Dave is also the author of Grow Like Tech, sharing the mindset and playbooks behind the world’s most successful companies. He now advises ambitious brands through his growth and culture consultancy, helping unlock transformational growth across marketing, strategy and mindset.
Stuart Trevor is a fashion designer and entrepreneur best known for founding, globally-recognised retailer AllSaints in 1994, where he shaped its iconic aesthetic and identity that helped the brand scale worldwide. Prior to AllSaints he was Head of Menswear Design and Buying at Reiss, giving him deep experience in design, merchandising and retail strategy.
After exiting AllSaints, Stuart continues to influence fashion and retail, most recently launching his eponymous sustainable label, reimagining fashion with creativity and purpose.
Meet Holly Hayes, a creative personal brand strategist and social media expert who has worked with some of the biggest brands and creators.
From the likes of L’Oréal, where she was responsible for starting their TikTok and managing their social channels and most recently Steven Bartlett / The Diary Of A CEO. Where she spoke to an audience of over 7 million daily, published 200 pieces of content per month and was responsible for creating viral content. She is now working with one of the biggest media companies in the world. Dear Media, an American business championing over 70 female creatives in the entertainment space.