Retail Secrets: Why Experiential Shopping is the Secret to Turning Browsers into Buyers
I might be on holiday… but if you know me, you know I never stop thinking about retail.
Right now, I’m in Óbidos, a small, cobbled town just north of Lisbon, Portugal and I’ve just walked into what I can only describe as the perfect retail experience, which is high praise from someone who has spent the last 30 years in retail! It’s a shop dedicated to Ginja (G-I-N-J-A), a sweet-sour cherry liqueur steeped in centuries of Portuguese tradition. The shop is called Ginja Mariquinhas.
Are We Now a Nation of Shoppers Rather Than Shopkeepers?
For generations, Britain was proud to call itself a nation of shopkeepers. We built high streets that were the beating heart of communities. We celebrated local business owners who knew our names, remembered our preferences, and often extended us credit when the purse strings were tight.
Stop Buying Cheap – Start Buying Right: How to Choose Suppliers That Deliver
There’s a growing epidemic in business: the rise of the self-appointed expert.
They pop up everywhere — in retail consultancy, website design, marketing, HR — all with glossy websites, slick pitches, and promises that sound almost too good to be true. Spoiler alert: they usually are.
Silent Selling: How Shop Layout, Scent and Design Influence Customer Behaviour (and Sales)
Last week I joined BBC Hereford Radio to chat all things customer psychology—and why physical retail still has a powerful part to play in a digital-first world. Yes, ecommerce is convenient. Yes, digital gets the clicks. But your bricks? That’s where the magic happens.
Because when you’ve got a shop floor, you’ve got something online can’t easily replicate: atmosphere, emotion, and influence.
Shopify vs WordPress? Here’s What Independent Retailers Need
Another day, another blog pitting Shopify against WordPress.
Look, I get it. Comparison blogs are great for SEO. But most of them are written by developers trying to flog you their favourite platform, not people who’ve ever had to juggle supplier delays, low footfall, or three customer emails before their morning brew.
So here’s a better question:
Beyond Planning: What the UK High Street Really Needs to Thrive
The new planning blitz is a welcome breath of fresh air – shorter red tape, alfresco dining zones, the “agent of change” and even commercial lease auctions – all designed to plaster a smile on our streets. But pop the cork too soon and you’ll see planning reform is a sugar-coating, not the main course. By itself it won’t fix empty units, and its promises can’t repeal the laws of economics.
Spinning Plates and Silent Struggles: Mental Health for Business Owners
Being a business owner is often romanticised as the epitome of freedom and autonomy. You’re your own boss, you set your own hours, and you reap the rewards directly. Sounds idyllic, doesn’t it? Yet, the reality for many entrepreneurs, particularly in the fast-paced retail sector, is far from this dream. Instead, it’s a high-wire act without a net, demanding not just business acumen but an immense mental and emotional load that would test the resilience of anyone.
Instagram SEO & AI Discovery: How to Make Your Social Content Work Harder in Search
In the digital age, few events send shockwaves through a business quite like a cyber attack. For retailers where customer trust, seamless transactions and brand reputation are everything the impact can be swift, significant and far–reaching, even while details are still unfolding.
Recently, Marks & Spencer, one of the UK’s most trusted retail brands, found itself grappling with the fallout from a cyber incident. Customers experienced problems with click & collect services, gift cards failed to process and contactless payments were disrupted. M&S even paused online orders temporarily while IT teams worked tirelessly to restore normality.
What Is SEO? (And Why Retailers Should Care)
SEO. Three little letters that can either feel like a magical growth lever or a complete mystery wrapped in a Google update. So, let’s break it down without the jargon or the 96-slide webinar.
At The Retail Champion, we believe retailers of all sizes, from bricks-and-mortar independents to fast-growth eCommerce brands deserve a fighting chance at being found online. That’s where SEO comes in.
Go Big or Go Home: Why I Rebranded The Retail Champion — and What It Took to Get Here
There are moments in business when you know change isn’t just desirable, it’s necessary. Not because something is broken, but because you’ve outgrown the old skin. That’s exactly where I found myself this year with The Retail Champion.