Clare Bailey – Founder,
The Retail Champion
Retail consultant. Media expert. Relentless truth-teller.
Known within the team as “The Walking Encyclopedia of Retail,” or in the industry as The Retail Champion, Clare Bailey is one of the UK’s most respected and in-demand retail experts. A straight-talking strategist with a laser-sharp commercial mind, Clare is trusted by everyone from BBC producers and government departments to high street chains and small independents. If retail’s in trouble, she’s the one you call.
“Retail is full of noise. My job is to cut through it.”
From the Shop Floor to the Boardroom
Clare’s career has spanned the full retail journey. After starting out at McDonald’s, she worked in merchandising, store operations and strategic roles for Marks & Spencer, Dixons, and Argos, before moving into global consultancy with SAP and Accenture.
This end-to-end understanding makes her uniquely credible. She doesn’t just talk strategy – she’s implemented it, rolled it out, and dealt with the fallout when things didn’t go to plan.
The Go-To Media Retail Expert
Clare is a familiar face across national media, with regular appearances on BBC Breakfast, Good Morning Britain, Sky News, Netflix, and Channel 5. She’s often called on to explain what’s really going on behind the headlines – whether it’s a retail collapse, a Black Friday backlash or the future of Britain’s high streets.
A gifted communicator, she translates complex trends and data into plain English, bringing clarity and insight to audiences who don’t live and breathe retail but care deeply about where they shop.
“You don’t need buzzwords. You need to know what’s changing, why it matters, and what to do next.”
Speaker. Author. Retail Engineer.
- The Retail Champion: 10 Steps to Retail Success – a practical roadmap for retailers navigating growth.
- How to Sell to Retail: essential reading for suppliers and product creators wanting to break into stores.
She’s a sought-after keynote speaker on topics such as high street regeneration, consumer behaviour, retail psychology and ecommerce transformation. Known for her no-nonsense delivery and big-picture insight, Clare captivates rooms from the British Retail Consortium to small business summits.
“People call me a business engineer. I spot where it’s broken—and show you how to fix it.”
Clare, Off the Clock
In 2023, Clare made a bold move to Portugal. As she puts it, “If Covid taught us anything, it’s that we can work from anywhere.” Since she previously lived in Lincolnshire, travel time to UK clients hasn’t changed much but the sunshine certainly has. She shares her Portuguese life with two delightfully unhinged rescue dogs (Portuguese Podengos with zero chill), who keep her on her toes between client calls and keynote speeches.
A passionate home cook, Clare’s happy place is in the kitchen, experimenting with flavours and techniques to create meals her family adores. The irony? “After tasting and tweaking until I think a dish is perfect, I’m so over it, I don’t even want to eat it anymore,” she laughs. “I’ve been known to spend all day cooking and end up with a jacket spud for dinner.”
She’s fuelled by water infused with lemon, mint or ginger—never coffee (“I just don’t enjoy it”) and if she could swap jobs for a day, she’d be Prime Minister.
“I’d sack half the middle management in the public sector, move to VAT as the only tax, and fix business rates. Not sure what I’d do on day 2…”
Speaking of shopping; Clare’s ideal retail experience is service-led and experiential. It’s not about the brand – it’s about the moment:
“Beautiful surroundings, entertainment, great service, something I need (or just want), at a good value price. That’s retail at its best. Throw in a few moments of joy if possible and I’l definitely come back”
Clare is the kind of business brain who could casually redesign tax policy one moment and recommend the best local vinho verde the next.
Areas of Expertise:
- High Street & Town Centre Strategy
- Retail & Consumer Psychology
- Retail Media Commentary
- Retail Technology & Process Optimisation
- Expert Witness Services
- Public Policy & Business Rates
- Ecommerce & Multichannel Strategy
- Independent Retail Growth
Why Clare Bailey?
Because when retail is on the line, you want someone who knows the game inside out and isn’t afraid to say what needs to be said. Whether you’re looking for a trusted voice in the media, a fierce advocate for independents, or a commercially-savvy consultant who gets results, Clare delivers.