Media & Press Enquiries
All you need to know about Clare Bailey – The Retail Champion – speaker, author, retail expert.
Looking for expert insight on the retail industry?
Clare Bailey, widely known as The Retail Champion, is a go-to commentator for journalists seeking sharp, informed perspectives on the future of retail, ecommerce, consumer trends and small business resilience. With over two decades of experience and regular appearances across national TV, radio and print, Clare delivers clear, quotable commentary grounded in real-world expertise.
Whether you’re reporting on the state of the high street, peak trading trends, retail innovation or startup growth, our media team is here to help with fast responses, expert spokespeople and access to relevant data and case studies.
Contact Media Team: champion@retailchampion.co.uk
Who We Are – In a Nutshell
Vision Statement:
To champion transformation across retail by partnering with retailers, suppliers, and service providers to help them achieve their version of success whether that’s scale, sale, or legacy.
Every client’s goal is different. Our job is to help them reach it with clarity, focus, and impact.
Fast Facts:
- Founded: 2003
- Founder: Clare Bailey (previously Rayner)
- Industry: Retail Consultancy & Speaking
- Media Spokesperson: Clare Bailey
- Based: UK & Europe; globally available in person and of course online
- Key Topics: Retail strategy, consumer trends, high street, ecommerce, SME growth
Press Releases & Media News Room
Speaking at Events
Clare Bailey, known as The Retail Champion, is a dynamic and insightful speaker with extensive experience engaging audiences at industry conferences, corporate events, and community gatherings across the UK. With a deep understanding of the retail sector from high street trends to eCommerce innovation. Clare brings energy, clarity, and actionable insights to every stage she steps onto.
Her expertise spans decades of working directly with retailers of all sizes, from ambitious sole traders to well-established chains. Clare’s passion lies in championing the people behind the tills and the communities that make retail thrive. Whether inspiring business owners to transform their approach or engaging policymakers on the future of the high street, Clare’s voice resonates with authenticity and authority.
Speaking Styles Clare Offers
- Keynote Presentations – Powerful, thought-provoking talks that set the tone and energize your audience.
- Awards Hosting & MC – Warm, engaging, and professional hosting to keep events flowing seamlessly.
- Fireside Chats – Intimate, conversational discussions that explore retail challenges and successes.
- Interviews – Sharp, insightful Q&A sessions that reveal deeper industry knowledge.
- Retail Commentary & Panels – Expert contributions to debates and panel discussions.
- Netflix-style Facumentary Presentations – Captivating storytelling that combines documentary and entertainment for impactful narratives.
- Workshops & Masterclasses – Interactive sessions designed to equip attendees with practical skills and strategies.
- Virtual and Hybrid Event Hosting – Seamless, engaging delivery tailored for online audiences.
Popular Topics Clare Covers
- People, Places & Purpose – How retail businesses connect to communities and drive meaningful impact.
- Key Differentiators in Retail – What sets successful retailers apart in an ever-evolving marketplace.
- 10 Steps to Retail Success – A practical roadmap for retail business growth and resilience.
- Your High Street, Your Community – Revitalizing local retail ecosystems for sustainable futures.
- Sustainability in Retail – Implementing green practices that benefit business and planet.
- Adapting to Digital Retail Trends – Leveraging eCommerce and technology to stay competitive.
- Customer Experience Excellence – Building loyalty through outstanding service and engagement.
- Retail Recovery Post-Pandemic – Strategies to rebuild and thrive after disruption.
- Leadership in Retail – Empowering teams to innovate and excel.
- Future of Retail – Insights into emerging trends shaping the industry landscape. Clare’s speaking engagements are tailored to fit the unique needs of your event, ensuring content relevance and audience engagement that leave a lasting impact.
Retail Reckoning – The Podcast by Clare Bailey
No fluff. Just real talk about what’s happening on the high street, in ecommerce, and across the retail industry.
Welcome to Retail Reckoning, the podcast where Clare Bailey, the Retail Champion cuts through the noise to bring you honest, insightful conversations about the challenges and opportunities shaping retail today.
Whether you’re a small business owner, a retailer adapting to change, or simply passionate about the future of the high street, Retail Reckoning offers a fresh perspective grounded in real-world experience. Clare dives deep into the issues that matter; from customer behaviour and digital innovation to community connection and sustainability, without the usual jargon or hype.
What to Expect
- Candid interviews with industry leaders, innovators, and change-makers
- Expert analysis on the latest retail trends and news
- Practical advice and strategies to help your business thrive
- Stories from the frontline of retail transformation
- Thought-provoking discussions on the future of shopping
Why Listen?
Retail Reckoning isn’t just another retail podcast. Clare brings her unique blend of expertise, wit, and passion, making complex retail topics accessible and actionable. If you want to stay ahead in retail, understand what’s really going on, and get inspired to make change, this is the show for you.
Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts, and join Clare every fortnight for a dose of real talk about retail.
What is the Retail Reckoning Podcast?
Retail Reckoning cuts through the noise with sharp retail insights straight from the heart of the UK high street. Clare Bailey dives into the hottest consumer trends, challenges facing independent retailers, and the game-changing power of omnichannel. If you want no-nonsense advice to help your retail business survive and thrive, this is your go-to podcast.
Meet the Host: Clare Bailey
Clare Bailey is The Retail Champion—a fierce advocate for independent retailers and a trusted voice on all things retail. With years of hands-on experience supporting businesses across the UK high street and beyond, Clare knows what it takes to succeed in a tough, fast-changing industry. Sharp, witty, and endlessly passionate, she brings real-world insight and no-fluff advice to every episode of Retail Reckoning. If you want the inside track on retail, Clare’s your go-to guide.
Why Clare Started Retail Reckoning
Clare launched Retail Reckoning from a place of genuine passion for the UK high street and a clear vision for the future of retail. She’s seen the grit and determination of independent retailers up close. Business owners pouring their hearts into their shops while facing unprecedented challenges. Clare knew these stories needed to be heard, and more importantly, that retailers needed practical, honest guidance to navigate a rapidly changing landscape.
Retail Reckoning is the real news, with real opinions, grounded in real-world retail. Hosted by Clare Bailey, this isn’t just another talking-head business podcast. It’s straight-talking insight from someone who’s been at the coalface of retail for over two decades. No gloom-mongering, no tired takes on the “death of the high street” just facts, analysis, and ideas delivered by a retail expert who knows how to put the stats into context.
This is Clare’s way of giving back to the community she champions on a platform where business insights meet lived experience, and where hope and strategy go hand in hand. Retail Reckoning empowers retailers to embrace change, innovate with confidence, and build businesses that thrive, not just in profit, but in purpose and connection.
Because it’s time for a reality check – and some retail sense. One conversation at a time.