RTS 2026 review: Dragons’ Den star Touker Suleyman says retail technology an overhead but helpful

“Technology is an overhead. It’s expensive if you don’t use it properly,” reflected Touker Suleyman, Owner and Chairman at Hawes & Curtis and Ghost, at Retail Technology Show 2026 in London this week, while cautioning it has its uses.

The Dragons' Den panellist and serial investor encourages entrepreneurship, as evidenced by his investments in a number of British startups and firms, such as Loop Generation (Circular Fashion); Matchstick Monkey (baby teethers and toys) and Sonisk (on-the-go toothbrushes and dental care).

In conversation with Kate Hardcastle, Suleyman used his slot at RTS 2026 on 22nd April to encourage the thousands of retailers attending “not to give up” during the present tough times and recommended harnessing technology in the right way, namely, to enable:

·       Manpower reductions and better cost control

·       Improve decision-making power

·       Enhance customer insights and service, citing CRM systems as “important in this area”.

In regard to artificial intelligence (AI), which was inevitably a hot topic on the first day at RTS 2026, Suleyman said: “My question is does it help the bottom line? Does it help with staffing costs, marketing, targeting and so on?”

AI running too fast

“AI is running too fast,” he said. “If I was an SME I’d sit on the fence and see how it develops. You’ve got to find the bit of AI that actually helps you.” Otherwise, it’s just another overhead without sufficient return on investment (RoI).  

He reminded those in the audience that cashflow should still be king, especially for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are facing rising rents, taxes, employment costs and regulation, while their consumers simultaneously suffer a renewed cost of living crisis.

“However, the fundamentals of retail in sales, expense control, and a focus on profit and loss don’t change,” added Suleyman, while stressing nor does the way to success. This is achieved by making sure you focus tightly on: Ongoing excellent service; Value; Awareness of the competition.  

“If you can survive in retail, you can survive anywhere. But you must work hard,” said Suleyman, while also bemoaning the planned UK governmental addition of digital passports and ID work validity checks as “a new cost overhead”.

“The price will come down though in my opinion,” he added, “so don’t sign up yet to expensive fancy solutions.”

Lessons learnt during a long retail career

The reason for the retail veteran’s cautious approach to cost control and RoI perhaps lies in Suleyman’s history. In the 1980s auditors identified significant debt in parts of his business, giving him only six weeks to find £2 million or face liquidation. Unfortunately, an investor pulled out, so that happened.

Suleyman had to start again from nothing. But he responded by building a thriving international clothing manufacturer, which still sits at the heart of his expanding empire, which now covers multiple and varied businesses.   

“At 28 I made a couple of mistakes. Lost some businesses and a house to the bank,” he candidly admitted at RTS 2026. “But it makes you humble. It’s why I want to give back and help entrepreneurs today. Every successful entrepreneur has had failures. But it’s not the end, it’s knowledge. Don’t give up!”     

Lipstick and your collar

An example of Suleyman’s determination to succeed is the fact he is launching another business in cosmetics in the UK capital during September. “Lipstick is Charlotte Tilbury at half the price,” he quipped.

“I’ve duped luxury brands after spending a year researching the marketplace thoroughly, empowering a chemist, and so on. It’s made in China … and will be available in two flagship stores in London’s West End; eight to ten kiosks in shopping centres like Westfield; and online.”

Lipstick will deploy guerilla marketing tactics for its autumn launch, providing 10,000 online and social media ambassadors with free product that they will help evangelise for. “There are 300,000 pieces of product being offered as well, which is a cheaper way to get customers than giving it to Meta, Google or any of those others.” The cost of acquisition is a live issue in retail at the moment and this is one possible response.    

The passion to succeed still burns bright in the Dragons’ Den star, it seems. But the direct to consumer (D2C) Beauty Pie rival dupe brand already exists. It may be a tough potential competitor, albeit in the D2C arena without stores, and often with bland packaging.

Regardless, Suleyman has had enough success to think he can make a go of Lipstick and his shirt collar and high end outfitter, Hawes & Curtis. As he himself advised: “Don’t give up!”

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

AI will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.