Welcome to the
Retail Reckoning Blog
Insights. Impact. Ideas that move the needle.
At The Retail Champion, we don’t just comment on what’s happening in retail, we shape what’s next. Our blog is where retail leaders, founders, and fast-growth brands come to get practical, no-nonsense insights grounded in experience. If you’re serious about scaling, optimising, or future-proofing your business, you’re in the right place.
Everything we write is rooted in the real-world challenges and ambitions of the businesses we work with, from high street independents to global names.
Whether you’re here for insight, inspiration or impact – we’re glad you found us.
Let’s make retail better, together.
Dealing with Difficult Customers: A Psychologist’s Perspective
The retail environment is never without its challenges, but the final quarter of the year brings a particularly intense period for customer-facing...
Invest in Your People: The Hidden ROI in Retail Success
Your team members are the face, voice, and heart of your brand. They don’t just sell products—they embody your values, shape customer experience,...
Ambition, Apathy and the Spirit of Thatcher: Clare Bailey on Lincolnshire, Legacy and Learning to Think Big Again
This morning I was asked for my opinion by BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire about the number of vacant units in Rugby and whether auctioning...
Vacant Units in Rugby: Why Auctioning Isn’t the Answer
This morning I was asked for my opinion by BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire about the number of vacant units in Rugby and whether auctioning...
AI in Business: Embrace the Future, from Overwhelm to Optimised
AI. It’s the buzzword in boardrooms, the secret sauce behind your shopping recommendations, and possibly the most misunderstood tool in...
Retail Reckoning: Why We Started a Podcast, and Why You Should Listen
Clare Bailey has always believed in speaking up for what matters in retail. Not just for the sake of tradition or trend, but to cut through the...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...