Retail Uncorked event with Keiran Hewkin, founder of Swyft
By Glynn Davis |
Webloyalty and Retail Insider collaborated again to host the second in an ongoing series of ‘Retail Uncorked’ networking events with retail leaders invited to an experience-led evening involving a guest speaker.
Hosted at Brewhouse & Kitchen in Highbury & Islington, North London, the event opened with Retail Insider editor Glynn Davis interviewing Keiran Hewkin, founder and CEO of Swyft, before guests took part in a tutored craft beer tasting and food pairing led by the B&K team.
Keiran traced his journey from a background and passion for manufacturing to founding one of the UK’s most distinctive furniture brands. The idea for Swyft was born from a simple but powerful observation: the furniture-buying experience was broken. Delivery times were long and products were too bulky to navigate into homes with ease.
Swyft’s answer was the sofa-in-a-box concept: premium furniture that could be delivered compactly to a customer’s door within 24 hours and could be assembled in minutes. Keiran spoke candidly about the persistence required to pitch to major retailers with a new model of operating that is vertically-integrated and turns the old ways on its head.
The company’s approach remains anchored in creative problem-solving and an unwavering focus on providing a premium customer experience. From its original sofa-in-a-box model, the brand has continued to expand its range across categories including beds, garden furniture and sofa beds.
Swyft has grown its wholesale presence through over 30 points of sale within major retail partners – including John Lewis – across the UK and France. More recently it opened its first physical store in the UK, with three more due to open shortly, and there are short-term plans to expand to more than 10 locations.
Keiran’s story is a fitting illustration of where retailers are doubling down in 2026 and beyond: brands that lead with a customer-first mind-set and genuinely help customers solve their greatest obstacles in the shopping experience, are gaining long-term repeat customers.
Webloyalty and Retail Insider would like to thank Keiran for sharing his inspiring journey and insights, as well as the team at B&K for an engaging craft beer education.
Retail Uncorked was created to give retail leaders the space to connect in settings that encourage more meaningful conversation. Places at each event are limited and more are planned so please register your interest when we announce future events.
Glynn Davis, editor, Retail Insider
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