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The NAJ’s JET Business Network (JBN) has announced the first group of speakers scheduled to appear at the upcoming Retail Congress, which will take place at Drayton Manor Resort on Tuesday, 3rd June.

Registration is now open for the anticipated one-day event, exploring “Lessons from the Best in Class.” This event will feature award-winning business owners from both within and outside the jewellery industry. They will share their knowledge, experience, and expertise on a variety of essential commercial topics to help retail jewellers not just Survive ’25 but also thrive in 2025. Key focus areas will include Sales, Marketing, Leadership, Differentiation, and creating a Destination for customers.

Announcing the first speakers at this year’s Congress, Michael Donaldson, JBN Facilitator, shares,

“This year’s Retail Congress marks my 11th and final as JBN Facilitator, and there’s no better way to bow out than by featuring ‘some of our own’ JBN members who will be taking to the podium to share their award-winning jewellery journeys – with guaranteed takeaway, actionable value for everyone in the room.”

The first confirmed speakers are…

Jaysal Pattni – What it Takes to be Voted the Best in Town

This 30-minute session will share valuable insights on what it takes to be recognised in your locality as The Best SME, Best Independent Retailer, Best Customer Service, and Best Business year after year. The motivation, application and stamina to go again and again in the search of excellence will set your business apart on your local high street.

JBN member, Jaysal Pattni, is a Director at Minar Jewellers, a fourth-generation family business specialising in bespoke diamond jewellery and exclusive South Asian jewellery designs. Passionate about the industry, he values the impact of local awards, having seen first-hand how recognition- such as Minar Jewellers’ wins for Best Business, Best Customer Service, and Jewellers of the Year can enhance credibility and customer trust.

Harriet France – Inspiring Your People

This session will share valuable insights on how Harriet manages, motivates and maintains her team of 24 people at Jeremy France and the tangible benefits that a happy, high-performing team could bring to your business.

Harriet France (JBN member) has worked at Jeremy France Jewellers for over twenty years, becoming the managing director in 2018 when her father retired. The business has received many accolades over the years, including the NAJ’s Salesperson of the Year award in 2024 and 2023 and consistently being named in the Retail Jeweller’s Top 100 Inspiring Independents list in recent years.

Peter Wong – Delivering Winning Marketing Campaigns

This 30-minute session will share valuable insights into the what, why, and how of Wongs’ marketing campaigns and the benefits they bring to the business. It will also provide some takeaway tips on achieving the same in your businesses.

JBN member, Peter Wong, is the owner of Wongs Jewellers in Liverpool, a well-respected, family-run jewellery business known for its high-quality craftsmanship and bespoke services. Wongs has won numerous marketing awards in both the jewellery industry and within Merseyside. Its most recent accolades, to name but a few, include the Retail Jeweller Marketing/Social Media Campaign or Collaboration of the Year Award 2024, Retail Jeweller’s Inspiring Independents award for Marketing Maestro 2024 and Merseyside Business of the Year 2024 at the Merseyside in Business Awards.

Debbie Barrow – Creating Today’s Top Sales Performers

What makes the difference between top jewellery sales performers and the rest? Is it possible to train anyone to be a top sales performer? What can be done to develop a team’s ability to sell to today’s customers? In this tough market, these are important questions, and in this session, you’ll get the answers. And more.

Debbie Barrow is the Managing Director of Virada Training. Her insights have transformed into multiple award-winning programmes for 153 jewellers, 435 retailers, and brands in ten countries.

Charlie Betts – Differentiating Your Business with ESG Engagement 

This session will explore changing consumer expectations around ESG engagement from jewellers and provide examples of how doing the ‘right’ thing ethically is increasingly aligning with increasing profitability. It will also explore practical, cost-effective measures that can be implemented to differentiate a business from an ESG perspective and highlight the increasing dangers of perceived ‘greenwashing.’

Charlie Betts represents the ninth consecutive generation of the Betts family to run The Betts Group. This 265-year-old British business focuses on refining precious metals and manufacturing jewellery and investment products. Charlie co-founded Single Mine Origin Gold in 2017 and created AgAIN Silver in 2022 (recycled from medical X-ray film) to provide traceable, responsibly sourced precious metals to market at scale.

What is the Retail Congress?

The annual Retail Congress has been a longstanding and popular event for independent jewellery retailers to come together, network and hear from esteemed speakers on topics and challenges reported by the NAJ’s independent jewellery retailer network – the JBN.

The event is not all about business. Join us for a relaxed pre-Congress networking dinner on the evening of Monday, 2nd June, and take the opportunity of a complimentary afternoon ticket to ride your old favourites at the onsite Drayton Manor Theme Park.

Regular Congress attendee Cynthia Cartwright, Commercial Director of Wongs Jewellers, shares,

“Congress offers inspirational speakers, insightful perspectives and invaluable networking opportunities that can really shape business strategies. It’s a vibrant event with a jam-packed schedule to maximise learning opportunities. If you’re looking to improve your business, then you need to be there.”

Ticket prices

NAJ Member Rate – £245 +VAT

Non-Member Rate – £295 +VAT

Receive 20% off the price of additional tickets when purchasing for multiple staff members.

Discover more at https://naj.co.uk/Retail-Congress

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