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 teams. If you work in retail, you already know that the run-up to Christmas isn’t just busy — it’s relentless.
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, and influence how your brand is perceived. They also have the power to protect or erode your margins, through the way they follow...
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 them off might be the way forward.
Let me be absolutely clear: it isn’t.
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 them off might be the way forward.
Let me be absolutely clear: it isn’t.
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 modern business. But love it or loathe it, artificial intelligence is here — and it’s not going anywhere.
At The Retail Champion, we...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...