Retail Reckoning - Retail Stories from Retail Frontlines

Christmas Debrief: 2025 Retail Pain Points → 2026 Profit

Shall we take a brutally honest look at the highs and lows of the 2025 festive retail season? Hi, I'm Clare Bailey, founder of Retail Champion.In this episode of Retail Reckoning, we dig into what worked, what flopped, and what business owners should focus on to ensure 2026 doesn’t leave any cash on the table.This episode is packed with straight-talking advice: from sellout items that vanished too soon, to stubborn shelf-sitters that eroded your margins. I've got some practical checklists to share with you for reviewing customer feedback, staffing woes, and digital visibility—making sure you don’t miss a thing. Whether you’re a seasoned shop owner or an ambitious start-up, this episode is your guide to turning post-Christmas chaos into clarity, actionable strategy, and a winning 2026.Let’s get your Retail Reckoning together—no dusty shelves allowed!Subscribe to the Retail Reckoning Newsletter – https://retailreckoningpodcast.co.uk/newsletterMentioned in this episode:Retail Reckoning Podcast Insights NewsletterGet Retail Reckoning Podcast Insights and Goodies - https://retailreckoningpodcast.co.uk/newsletterRetail Reckoning Podcast VIP newsletter

Retail Trends 2026: What Independent Retailers Must Get Right Next Year

Retail might be stabilising, but certainty still isn’t coming back.Hi, I'm Clare Bailey, founder of Retail Champion.In this episode of Retail Reckoning, I’m sharing my perspective on what retail in 2026 is really shaping up to look like. From cautious consumers and selective spending, to the changing role of the high street, loyalty, technology, and staffing, I break down what genuinely matters for independent retailers right now.We look at why waiting for “normal” is holding businesses back, why emotional loyalty beats points schemes, and how independents can use their hyper-local knowledge to compete with bigger players. I also talk about where technology helps, where it distracts, and why getting the basics right will always matter more than chasing shiny tactics.If you’re planning for 2026 and want a clear-eyed, practical view of what’s ahead, this episode will help you focus on what to prioritise and what to ignore.Subscribe to the Retail Reckoning Newsletter – https://retailreckoningpodcast.co.uk/newsletterMentioned in this episode:Retail Reckoning Podcast Insights NewsletterGet Retail Reckoning Podcast Insights and Goodies - https://retailreckoningpodcast.co.uk/newsletterRetail Reckoning Podcast VIP newsletter

The High Cost of Post Christmas Returns for Retailers

Christmas might be over, but for retailers the hard part is only just beginning.Hi, I'm Clare Bailey, founder of Retail Champion.In this episode of Retail Reckoning, I’m talking about the real cost of post-Christmas returns and why January can feel like a hangover no one warned you about. From gift receipts and goodwill returns to consumer rights and reverse logistics, I break down what shoppers are entitled to, where retailers often get caught out, and why poorly handled returns can quietly damage your brand.We look at why the “Great Christmas Returns Rush” has become a new festive tradition, how sales and price drops fuel cynical returns, and what retailers can do to protect margins without turning the returns desk into a battleground.Whether you’re a retailer bracing yourself for January or a consumer trying to work out what you’re actually entitled to, this episode will help you understand the rules, the realities, and the emotional toll of the post-Christmas remix.Subscribe to the Retail Reckoning Newsletter - https://retailreckoningpodcast.co.uk/newsletterMentioned in this episode:Retail Reckoning Podcast Insights NewsletterGet Retail Reckoning Podcast Insights and Goodies - https://retailreckoningpodcast.co.uk/newsletterRetail Reckoning Podcast VIP newsletter

The Simple Fixes Retailers Ignore… That Drive Real Profit

If you’ve ever wondered why your shop looks busy but your bank account doesn’t agree, this episode will feel uncomfortably familiar — in a good way.Today, Kim Hulse and I pull back the curtain on the small, boring-but-brilliant changes that real retailers have made to genuinely shift their margins. We’re talking about the fixes most businesses overlook because they’re too busy firefighting, guessing, or simply doing things “the way we always have.”Across several case studies — from a sports shop drowning in choice, to a boutique losing money on basics but over-buying on fashion, to a multi-million-pound family business stuck in chaos — we show how simple decisions around stock, suppliers, store layout, pricing, and team rhythm can unlock thousands in profit.Not by spending more. Not by rebranding. Just by tightening the fundamentals.You’ll hear:• The stock mistakes that silently drain your cash• How supplier conversations (yes, real ones) can improve margin• Why basics matter more than you think• The danger of “I’ll just buy it because it’s pretty” buying• How small stores lose sales simply by missing key information in-store• What to fix before investing in marketing• Why January is the best month for a quiet reset that pays off all year• The difference between promotions that lift margin and promotions that burn itAnd, importantly, why retail rewards momentum — not perfection.If you want 2026 to be calmer, more profitable, and far less chaotic, start with the basics. One small change at a time.

Black Friday 2025: Trust, Margins and the New Retail Reality

Black Friday and Cyber Monday might be over, but the real story is only just emerging. Hi, I'm Clare Bailey, founder of Retail Champion. In this episode, I'm reflecting back on Black Friday 2025 and Cyber Monday.This year we saw shoppers spend £3.8B online, yet trust took a hit, margins suffered, and some of the UK’s most established retailers ended up in the headlines for the wrong reasons.I dig into what Black Friday 2025 actually revealed about today’s shopper — from scepticism around fake discounts to the growing pressure on frontline staff and the operational cracks that show up every year.If you want clarity on what really happened, how it affects the rest of peak season, and what retailers should change right now, this is the episode for you.Subscribe to the Retail Reckoning Newsletter - https://retailreckoningpodcast.co.uk/newsletterMentioned in this episode:Retail Reckoning Podcast Insights NewsletterGet Retail Reckoning Podcast Insights and Goodies - https://retailreckoningpodcast.co.uk/newsletterRetail Reckoning Podcast VIP newsletter