AI in Retail: What Most Retailers Are Getting Wrong
AI in retail is everywhere right now.
From personalised recommendations to virtual try-on, we’re being told it’s transforming how customers shop and how businesses sell. But there’s a problem.
One Brand, One Experience: Why Bricks and Clicks Must Work Together
An omnichannel retail strategy for independent retailers looking to align their website, shop and customer experience.
It was a busy day in the boutique when a customer walked in holding her phone.
“I’ve got this 20% off voucher from your website,” she said, smiling as she...
Why Fashion Boutiques Should Be Thinking Beyond Fashion
Walk into a really good independent boutique and something happens before you even look at the clothes.
You notice the lighting.
The displays.
The music.
And often there’s a scent in the air that makes you slow down just a little.
Customers don’t always notice it consciously....
Retail Trends 2026 for UK High Streets
If you want the unfiltered truth about the future of UK retail, you ask someone who’s been inside the boardrooms of Amazon, SumUp, Netflix, SAP and Accenture…
Someone who’s also stood on the shop floor helping indies survive the toughest years the high street has ever seen.
How to Find the Best Expert Retail Speakers for Your Event
Choosing the right expert retail speaker can transform your event from “informative” to unforgettable. Whether you’re hosting a national conference, leadership summit, corporate away day, or retail training session, you need someone who brings real-world experience,...
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 noise and talk about what’s really going on behind the shopfronts, spreadsheets, and slogans.
And now, she’s doing it with a mic in...
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...
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...
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....
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...