Retail Reckoning - Retail Stories from Retail Frontlines
Episodes
Cheap Is Winning — But At What Cost to Retail?
20 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Cheap is winning — but at what cost to retail?In Part 1 of this three-part Retail Reckoning Playbook miniseries, Clare Bailey (The Retail Champion) ...
School Holidays as a Retail Growth Engine
13 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
I'm Clare Bailey, founder of The Retail Champion — and I want to change the way you see school holidays.Most retailers treat the holidays as a manag...
Countdown to Christmas Stock (Yes, Seriously) and April Decisions
06 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hi, I'm Clare Bailey, founder of The Retail Champion.I know it sounds mad to be talking about Christmas in April. But in retail? This isn't early — ...
Built by Retailers, FOR Retailers: Scayle & The Tech Revolution Fashion Can't Ignore
30 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hi, I'm Clare Bailey, founder of Retail Champion.I'll be honest — when I read ...
Retail: Experience vs Convenience - The Leadership Test You're Probably Failing
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hi, I’m Clare Bailey, founder of Retail Champion.Let me say this upfront: this episode might make you uncomfortable. But if you’re serious about k...
Gen Z Wake Up Call: What Every Retailer Needs To Know
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hi, I’m Clare Bailey, founder of Retail Champion.I'll be honest — I've had to look this up myself. As the proud mum of two Gen Z kids (aged 20 and...
Brand Strategy: Why Every Business Needs One
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you think brand strategy is just for big companies with big budgets, this episode is going to change your mind — because I used to think exactly ...
Delivery, trust, and the post purchase experience
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Retail Reckoning, I'm making the case that delivery isn't a backend logistics process. It's the final and most emotionally charged ...
Getting Retail After Sales Care Right (so you can boost profits!)
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After-sales care is the moment most retailers forget — and the one customers remember forever.Hi, I’m Clare Bailey, founder of Retail Champion.In ...
Jeremy Vine and Retail Reckoning's Clare Bailey debate minimum wage
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this bonus episode, Radio 2's Jeremy Vine discusses whether the minimum wage for under 21s should be raised or if that is a disincentive for firms ...
Boutique retailers: think outside the box with your stock
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you're a boutique retailer limiting yourself to fashion, you're leaving money on the table. Hi, I’m Clare Bailey, founder of Retail Champion.In t...
Making Tax Digital Is SCARY (If You Don't Understand This)
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Making Tax Digital is scary.If you don’t understand it.And most people don’t.Hi, I’m Clare Bailey, founder of Retail Champion.In this episode of...
Your Retail Sales Are Fine. Your Profits Aren't. Here's Why.
02 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Your retail sales are fine.Your profits aren’t.Here’s why.Hi, I’m Clare Bailey, founder of Retail Champion.In this episode of Retail Reckoning, ...
Why Email Blasting Is Costing Retail Businesses Sales
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most retailers don’t lose sales because email doesn’t work.They lose sales because they send the same message to everyone.Hi, I’m Clare Bailey, ...
Pinterest for Ecommerce: Why It Outperforms Instagram for Retail Traffic
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most retailers don’t need another social media platform.They need traffic that actually shows up ready to buy.Hi, I'm Clare Bailey, founder of Retai...
AI as a Calm Retail Assistant: Smarter Stock, Pricing, and Decisions
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most retailers don’t need more data.They need clearer signals.Hi, I'm Clare Bailey, founder of Retail Champion.In this episode of Retail Reckoning, ...
Christmas Debrief: 2025 Retail Pain Points → 2026 Profit
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Retail Trends 2026: What Independent Retailers Must Get Right Next Year
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Reckon...
The High Cost of Post Christmas Returns for Retailers
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Re...
The Simple Fixes Retailers Ignore… That Drive Real Profit
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Black Friday 2025: Trust, Margins and the New Retail Reality
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 episo...
Aldi's Carrot Wedding, Puss in Boots (in Boots): Winners and Losers of Xmas TV Ads
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This year’s Christmas ads are… something else. Hi, I'm Clare Bailey, founder of Retail Champion. In this episode I'm sharing what I feel are my wi...
Leaked Budgets, Wage Hikes and a Milkshake-y Sugar Tax: Retail’s Autumn Statement Wake-Up Call
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This fiery bonus episode pulls no punches, cutting through the Autumn Statement spin with outrage and insight. Hi, I'm Clare Bailey, founder of Retail...
Boxing Day Blues, Gift Cards, and Why Piers Morgan Hates Me
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Customers are getting wise to the Boxing Day Blues. Gifts that drop to half price two days after Christmas, last-minute discount emails, and retailers...
A retail training session's not just for Christmas!
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Remember the familiar adage, “a dog is for life, not just for Christmas”? Welcome to Retail Reckoning. I'm Clare Bailey, founder of Retail Champio...
Why I Ditched My Book (and My Old Business) for Playbooks That Actually Work
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I built my business on conferences and bestselling books — until the world changed and suddenly, none of it worked anymore...Welcome to Retail Recko...
Building a Life Beyond Retail - Tips for Balance and Career Growth
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Retail Reckoning. I'm Clare Bailey, founder of Retail Champion. In this special episode, I sit down with Steph, a key member of the Retail ...
Strengthening Communities Like Knowle Through Consistent Place Marketing and Local Events
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to another episode of Retail Reckoning! I'm Clare Bailey and this week, I'm joined by the dynamic Kim Hulse, a true leader in placemaking and ...
Pride of place or waste of taxpayer's cash? Déjà Vu on the High Street!
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Retail Reckoning, the podcast from Retail Champion where we explore the real challenges facing our high streets and town centres. In this e...
The playbook for your e-commerce business success in Q4!
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Peak season doesn’t reward panic - it rewards preparation. In this episode of Retail Reckoning, myself, Clare Bailey and e-commerce pro Steph Briggs...
Greener Supply Chains, Stronger Profits: Turning Sustainability Into Retail Success
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to another episode of Retail Reckoning! In today’s show, host Clare Bailey looks into how sustainability and supply chain resilience are no ...
E-Commerce Essentials: September Set-up for Black Friday Success
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As we approach the critical shopping season, it is imperative to recognise that the preparation for Black Friday commences well in advance. Hi, I'm Cl...
Empty Retail Units Plague Rugby (Clare guests on BBC CWR)
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The current state of Rugby town centre is alarming, as it is reported that one in four shops remain vacant, a statistic that underscores the pressing ...
Heritage won't save you! The retail September reality check
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
September isn’t just the end of summer. It’s retail’s reset button. In this episode, I, Clare Bailey, The Retail Champion, am talking you throug...
Beyond planning - getting the basics right with bricks and clicks
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to another episode of Retail Reckoning with me, Clare Bailey. In this week’s show, we move beyond the headlines about planning reforms and t...
Why discounting is killing retail - what "value" really means
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Too many retailers still believe discounting is the only way to keep customers walking through the door. In this episode of Retail Reckoning, I, Clare...
Convenience is Currency: UK Retail Trends from Summer to Christmas
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do this summer’s trading patterns tell us about the Golden Quarter ahead? In this episode of Retail Reckoning, retail expert Claire Bailey unpa...
Retail Reckoning Straight Talk, Sharp Insights, and Survival Stories from the High Street
15 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to “Retail Reckoning,” the place where you get the real truth about what’s happening on Britain’s high streets. Hosted by Claire Baile...