Retail Technology Show to feature sessions focusing on 'culture, convenience and circularity'

The upcoming Retail Technology Show (RTS), taking place on 2 and 3 April 2025, is putting the focus firmly on fashion companies tapping into "culture, convenience and circularity" as a way to connect with ‘Gen Zalpha’ shoppers.

A panel of British fashion industry speakers will include Stuart Trevor, the founder of AllSaints and Bolongaro Trevor, who recently launched his eponymous label that sells clothes created solely from recycled garments or deadstock fabric.

George Sullivan, CEO and founder of high-end footwear and streetwear marketplace, The Sole Supplier, will be another key speaker, as will Simone Oloman, the co-founder of 90-minute fashion delivery app, Need It For Tonight (NIFT).

For Stuart Trevor, the paradox of creating a fashion brand that doesn’t make new clothes was driven primarily by consumer insight into younger demographics.

He said: "I know that there are lots of younger people who will not shop anywhere other than vintage, markets, charity shops and there's a social divide - they won’t associate with kids that shop fast fashion.

"My mission is not to destroy those brands. My mission is to try and encourage those brands to do better, and then perhaps we can bring about a positive change. Ultimately, they must, because Gen Z are not going to continue to allow the planet to be destroyed by conspicuous consumption."

NIFT was devised after Simone Oloman’s co-founder (and sister), who was let down by a late delivery for an item she had planned to wear for an event later that day. The duo realised that while on-demand delivery food apps had revolutionised discoverability for London restaurants and cafes, there wasn’t an equivalent service for the city’s local and independent fashion industry.

Oloman said: "I think of Deliveroo and all of the restaurants that I never would have heard of if it hadn’t been for it. In the same way, we really want to mirror that in the fashion space and encourage people to shop locally.

"A huge part of this mission is to encourage consumers to shop locally and, because NIFT partners with emerging designers and independent boutiques, we’re getting consumers to come on our app and see what's available in their local area."

The Sole Supplier’s George Sullivan will talk about the people behind the brands that feature on his marketplace. He said: "The brands that we talk about (on our platform) have got ‘heart’. They’re often independent owners and brands, but they've all got a story behind them.

"People know who the founders are and where they're coming from. And these are the brands that matter to young audiences and what consumers connect with."

To join sessions from those three speakers, as well as many more, interested parties can register for the free to attend 2025 Retail Technology Show, at https://www.retailtechnologyshow.com.