The Resilient Retail Game Plan - retail insights, retail trends and best practices

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  Ghost stores, fake shops and what they mean for real independent retailers 30.07.2026 15min

  "It's with a heavy heart that we share this message with you." A little boutique closing its doors after years of love and care, one final sale, the owners off to enjoy being grandparents. Except the shop never existed."Hi, I'm retail strategist and founder of Resilient Retail Club, Catherine Erdly.I started this episode pulling on one thread — a closing down sale that didn't add up — and ended up somewhere I wasn't expecting. The photo of the owners had the smooth, too-perfect look of an AI image. The listing named a local town, but the shipping notes said the orders ship from a warehouse thousands of miles away. And it turned out I hadn't found one fake shop. I'd found an entire business model: set up, run a huge "closing down" sale, collect the money, wait for the bad reviews to pile up, disappear, start again. Chris Emmins of consumer protection organisation KwikChex tells me there are thousands and thousands of them, and that even the people whose job it is to count them can't keep up.Here's the part that should worry every independent retailer. The standard advice given to shoppers is to be wary of a company they've never heard of — which is a fairly accurate description of almost every small business in the country. Research from Bazaarvoice, which I dig into with their CMO Doug Straton, found that 97% of shoppers no longer buy from a single source. They're cross-checking your website against Instagram, Reddit, TikTok, your reviews and a quick Google before they'll spend anything with you. That isn't paranoia, it's adaptation. So when someone sees your ad, they go looking. The only question that matters is what they find when they get there.In this episode I look at what a genuinely sceptical customer is hunting for, what a fast-growing brand like Passenger does that most independents don't, and the shift that caught me off guard: the trust signals you build aren't only being read by people any more. AI models and shopping agents are reading them too, and deciding whether to put you in front of a customer at all. By the end you'll know what to check on your own website this week, which signals carry the most weight, and why the one thing that makes you almost impossible to fake is something you already have — you're just not showing it. Press play and I'll walk you through it.Chapters00:00 — The closing down sale that never happened02:28 — Inside the ghost store business model, with Chris Emmins of KwikChex04:50 — The 97% rule, and the question customers now ask you08:15 — What a fast-growing brand does differently, and why AI is reading your trust signals tooLinks and resourcesResilient Retail Club podcast: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcast/Catherine on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/catherineerdlyCatherine's Forbes piece on this investigation: https://www.forbes.com/sites/catherineerdly/2026/06/26/how-fake-online-stores-are-damaging-legitimate-retailers/KwikChex: https://www.kwikchex.comBazaarvoice: https://www.bazaarvoice.comPassenger: https://www.passenger-clothing.comWhich? investigation into bogus boutiques: https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/the-bogus-boutiques-ripping-off-shoppers-aqruM5i1zJLHSay hello on Instagram: @resilientretailclubMentioned in this episode:Home and Gift Association is our sponsor this monthhttps://www.homeandgiftassociation.org.uk/
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  The Retail Stock Mistake Even Veteran Retailers Make 23.07.2026 15min

  I’ve had retailers with 18 years in business tell me the same thing after just a few months working with us — and it isn’t what you’d expect.Hi, I’m retail strategist and founder of Resilient Retail Club, Catherine Erdly.Most of us are convinced we’re on top of our numbers. Shopify pings with every sale, we know our best sellers by heart, and we watch the sales roll in. But in this episode I dig into the uncomfortable gap between looking at your numbers and actually understanding what they’re telling you to do next — the difference that quietly decides whether your stock is working for you or slowly working against you.I walk through the questions most retailers never stop to ask. Is your best seller selling fast enough, or should you be buying twice as many? Are you carrying twice the stock you actually need? Is one category — or even one supplier — secretly funding your whole business, or quietly trapping your cash? If you’ve ever felt like you’re “all over your numbers” but still can’t confidently answer what to buy, what to clear, or what to plan for next, this one is for you.I also share the shift that’s helping retailers get more sales from less stock, free up cash they didn’t know was trapped, and walk into their busiest months without panic-buying — plus how to tell whether you need a Stock Doctor, an accountant, or both. By the end, you’ll know exactly why collecting data isn’t the same as making decisions, and what to do about it. Press play to hear how.In this episode00:00: The confession every experienced retailer makes02:36: Rear-view mirror vs sat nav: how to actually read your numbers04:53: What we look for when we analyse your stock07:52: Stock Doctor vs your accountant — and who this is really forUseful linksFind out more about Stock Doctor: https://stockdoctor.netConnect with me on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/catherineerdlyMore episodes & resources: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcast/Mentioned in this episode:Home and Gift Association is our sponsor this monthhttps://www.homeandgiftassociation.org.uk/
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  The 4-Step Sales Strategy Every Independent Retailer Needs 16.07.2026 17min

  Sales are quiet, and you've already decided it's your fault. It isn't.Hi, I'm retail strategist and founder of Resilient Retail Club, Catherine Erdly.Every retailer I have ever worked with has quiet weeks — including the multi-billion businesses. The only real difference is that they have enough stores and enough channels for the inconsistency to smooth itself out. When it's just you, one shop, one website, a couple of marketplaces, there is nothing to smooth it out. So a slow Tuesday doesn't feel like a slow Tuesday. It feels like evidence. Evidence that people have stopped buying, that your marketing has stopped working, that you have somehow lost your touch.This is the single biggest confidence killer in independent retail, and it has almost nothing to do with your products. It's what happens when you run a business without a plan: a good week means you've cracked it, a bad week means it's all falling apart, and you spend the year strapped into an emotional rollercoaster you never bought a ticket for. Most retailers respond by either setting wildly optimistic goals with no route to hitting them, or quietly setting no goals at all because a missed target feels worse than no target. Neither works. And neither tells you what to actually do on the Monday after a bad week.In this episode I walk you through the four-step sales strategy I've used with hundreds of retailers to get out of that cycle for good. It won't make your quiet periods vanish — nothing will, and anyone selling you that is lying. What it will do is tell you which quiet periods were always going to be quiet, which ones actually need your attention, and precisely what to do about them. By the end you'll know how to set a number that feels exciting rather than terrifying, how to see the rhythm your business has been running to all along, and how to build the one document that means you never again stare at a bad week and think "maybe I'm just terrible at this." It takes about ninety minutes to build. Press play and I'll show you where to start.In this episode(00:00) Why your sales feel random — and why it isn't youWhy every retailer, from a one-woman shop to a billion-pound chain, has quiet days and busy days — and why only one of them feels it. The confidence cost of an unplanned year, and what a sales strategy honestly can and cannot fix.(01:57) Step 1 — Set a sales goal you'll actually aim atThe archery question that exposes how most retailers approach sales, why a target isn't there to make you feel bad, and the last-12-months-plus-run-rate calculation that gets you a realistic number in minutes rather than weeks.(05:05) Steps 2 & 3 — Monthly targets by channel, and your trading calendarBreaking a yearly number down by month and by channel, the hidden benefit that reveals the rhythm of your business (and why February is not a personal failing), then building the trading calendar that bridges your sales plan and your marketing — including what to do when a month has no reason for anyone to buy.(11:50) Step 4 — Track what matters, and why future you will thank youWhy the answer isn't another analytics tool, the four things worth tracking weekly, the four worth tracking monthly, and the one-line note that will save you an hour of confusion this time next year.Free download for this episodeGrab my free guide to creating a sales strategy for your business: resilientretailclub.com/strategyUseful linksFree sales strategy guide — https://www.resilientretailclub.com/strategyThe Resilient Retail Club — https://www.resilientretailclub.comAll podcast episodes — https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcast/Connect with me on LinkedIn — https://uk.linkedin.com/in/catherineerdlyWatch on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFwdhK_WMJvXntxKLZj83Inz1fFNAN2PNew episodes every Thursday. If this one was useful, following the show is the single most helpful thing you can do — it's how other independent retailers find it.Mentioned in this episode:Home and Gift Association is our sponsor this monthhttps://www.homeandgiftassociation.org.uk/
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  Drowning in Data? The Only 3 Retail Numbers That Matter 09.07.2026 20min

  Have you ever opened your Shopify dashboard looking for one answer and somehow ended up with ten new questions?Hi, I'm retail strategist and founder of Resilient Retail Club, Catherine Erdly.Most retailers I work with don't have a lack-of-data problem — they have the opposite. They're drowning in dashboards, apps, reports, spreadsheets and AI notifications, yet they still can't confidently answer the three questions that actually matter: Am I making money? Am I on track? Is my stock healthy? More information hasn't made the decision easier. If anything, it's made it harder.In this episode I talk about cutting through the noise. I share why “tech creep” quietly drains your bank account and your attention, how new AI tools like Shopify Sidekick are changing the reporting game, and why the answer to feeling overwhelmed is almost never another subscription. Then I get into the small handful of numbers that genuinely tell you whether your business is healthy — and why clarity beats complexity every single time.If you've been feeling unsure about how things are really going in your shop, this one will help you stop guessing. By the end you'll know exactly which three numbers to check each month, what “good” looks like for each, and how to build one simple place to track them so you can see the health of your business in seconds — without drowning in data. The specific numbers, the benchmarks and the exact formula I use are all inside the episode.In this episode(00:00) Drowning in data, starving for clarity — why more tools won't fix it, and how to cut tech creep(06:45) Number 1 — Am I making money on every sale? Understanding your sales margin(11:02) Number 2 — Am I selling enough to cover my costs? The power of breakeven analysis(14:40) Number 3 — Is my stock turning fast enough? Weeks cover and why stock is cashLinks & resourcesFree download — The 3 Key Numbers guide: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/numbersMy book, Tame Your Tiger: How to Stop Your Product Business Eating You Alive — where I show you how to calculate your breakeven step by stepConnect with me on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/catherineerdlyMore episodes & the audio podcast: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcast/
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  Independent Retailer Trends 2026: Plan Christmas Now 02.07.2026 22min

  The shoppers who start researching Christmas earliest are also the ones who spend the most — and most retailers are invisible during exactly that window.Hi, I'm retail strategist and founder of Resilient Retail Club, Catherine Erdly.If you think July is far too early to be thinking about Christmas, this episode will change your mind. I sat down with Hannah Bartlett — founder of Jolly Festive and The Christmas Insider — to unpack why the shoppers who start researching Christmas earliest are also the ones who go on to spend the most, and why that completely changes how you should be building towards your peak season.Here's the trap most independent retailers fall into: they treat the research window and the purchase window as the same job. Right now, around 60% of shoppers are quietly building their Christmas shortlists — and holding off on actually buying until November. If you only show up when people are ready to pay, you've already missed the moment that decides where their money goes. That window is your opportunity, not your problem — but only if you know how to be in it.Hannah has distilled her forecasting into six emotional needs and four distinct aesthetic directions for Christmas 2026. In this episode she shares the framework for choosing the one that's right for YOUR business — not just whatever the big retailers are doing. Press play and you'll walk away knowing how to show up in your customers' research phase, how to plan your stock and marketing around emotional connection rather than discounting, and how to set yourself up for your most profitable fourth quarter yet.Chapters00:00 — Why the earliest Christmas shoppers spend the most03:33 — The six emotional needs shaping Christmas 202608:02 — The four aesthetic directions to plan around13:44 — How to choose your direction and bring it to lifeLinks & resourcesConnect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/catherineerdlyMore from Resilient Retail Club — podcast page: resilientretailclub.com/podcastHannah Bartlett — The Christmas Insider: thechristmasinsider.comDiscover independent brands to stock on Faire: faire.comPlan a profitable Q4 with Stock Doctor: stockdoctor.net
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  Retail Planning 2026: Why a Mid-Year Check-In Beats Starting Over in January 25.06.2026 24min

  We're coming up fast on the halfway point of the year — and if that fills you with dread, don't panic. Here's the good news: a midyear review beats a New Year's resolution every time, because right now you're not working from a theory about how the year might go. You have six months of real data. This episode is how you use it.Oh, and the episode comes with a free download - https://www.resilientretailclub.com/recap(Our sponsor Faire are offering 50% off and free shipping on first orders until July 31st. Simply add the code "Resilient50" at checkout) Hi, I'm retail strategist and founder of Resilient Retail Club, Catherine Erdly. And in this episode of the Resilient Retail Game Plan, I'm walking you through the exact process I've used with members, course students, and clients over and over again: look back honestly at the first half of the year, then use what you find to spring-board into a stronger second half.The key word is honestly — without blame, without self-recrimination, and without brushing past everything you've actually achieved.We start with the numbers: your total sales versus plan, your best sellers by value, units and profit, and a "dead weight audit" of what hasn't moved.But the real value isn't the figures themselves — it's asking why they happened, because knowing why you succeeded is as useful as the number itself.From there we look at conversion rate, average order value, your sales channels, a social-media audit, and a relationship audit of the suppliers, stockists, and couriers you depend on.Then we get subjective — and I make no apology for it.We celebrate your wins out loud, run a start / stop / continue on the first half, and use a 20-minute SWOT analysis as an emotional clearing exercise to get the 3am worries out of your head and onto paper.Finally, we refocus.If midyear admin usually fills you with dread, this is the episode that turns it into momentum.There's a free downloadable workbook to do it alongside me.Chapter Timestamps00:00 — Why a midyear recap beats January 1st: you have real data now01:33 — Revisiting the goals you set in January (without the self-blame)03:40 — The numbers that matter — and why you should ask why they happened06:10 — Best sellers: value, units, and profit08:06 — The dead weight audit: stuck stock and disappointing lines09:33 — Conversion rate and average order value10:28 — Sales channels: are you investing where it's actually working?11:20 — The social media and relationship audits13:17 — What worked, what didn't, and start / stop / continue16:29 — How the business feels: SWOT and the 20-year interview19:31 — Refocusing for half two: set your number and key dates21:41 — Your homeworkUseful LinksFree midyear recap workbook: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/recapResilient Retail Club podcast: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcast/Catherine on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/catherineerdlyMentioned in this episode:Home and Gift Association is our sponsor this monthhttps://www.homeandgiftassociation.org.uk/
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  How AI Agents Are Changing Retail Stores (Retail Industry Trends 2026) 18.06.2026 17min

  Right now, as you read this, an AI chatbot is running a real retail store in San Francisco — managing the product selection, deciding what to stock, and curating a customer experience. It sounds like science fiction. It is already open for business. And it is just one signal of how fast the rules of retail discovery are changing.(Our sponsor Faire are offering 50% off and free shipping on first orders until July 31st. Simply add the code "Resilient50" at checkout) Hi, I'm retail strategist and founder of Resilient Retail Club, Catherine Erdly. And in this episode of the Resilient Retail Game Plan, I'm exploring one of the biggest shifts I've seen in how customers discover products: agentic AI. This is AI that doesn't just respond to questions — it researches, compares, recommends, and in some cases, actually completes the purchase. For independent retailers and product businesses with an online presence, this changes the rules. The question is no longer just how do you rank on Google — it's how do you become the answer when an AI agent is asked to find the best product for a specific need.I dig into what agentic AI actually means, how people are already using it to shop, and what that means for the way you present your products online. I share research from the OECD, insights from Andrew Bialecki at Klaviyo, the work of retail expert Jackie Swanson, and a fascinating case study in the form of Andon Market — a real shop in San Francisco that is being managed end-to-end by an AI chatbot called Luna, which was given a three-year lease and told to make a profit.If you're an independent retailer or product business owner with an e-commerce presence, this episode is essential listening. The shift is already happening. Understanding it now means you can take simple, practical steps to make sure your products are visible in the new discovery landscape — before your competitors even realise the rules have changed.Chapter Timestamps00:00 — Are robots taking over shopping? And what agentic AI actually is02:05 — AI at both ends: retailers using AI and shoppers using AI — the data04:50 — Luna and Andon Market: the AI chatbot running a real retail store07:00 — Agent-to-agent commerce: Andrew Bialecki on what retailers need to prepare for09:30 — What to actually do: getting your data right for AI discovery11:25 — How customer search behaviour is changing and what it means for your product pages13:45 — The three things to start with: titles, key info, and natural language14:48 — The philosophical question: are we handing over too much to AI?Useful LinksResilient Retail Club podcast: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcast/Catherine on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/catherineerdlyMentioned in this episode:Home and Gift Association is our sponsor this monthhttps://www.homeandgiftassociation.org.uk/
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  How retailers can build demand on TikTok 11.06.2026 22min

  What would it mean for your retail business if — right now, at this very moment — three thousand creators were actively requesting samples to promote your brand? That's not a fantasy for Luke Arnall-Cameron, founder of YASS CLEAN. It's Tuesday. That's just how his business works.Hi, I'm retail strategist and founder of Resilient Retail Club, Catherine Erdly.This episode is brought to you by Faire. As you will hear in the actual show, they're offering 50% off and free shipping against your first order. Use the code "Resilient50"In this episode, I sit down with Luke Arnall-Cameron — a former John Lewis graduate buyer and marketing director turned TikTok creator and brand founder — to unpick one of the most significant shifts happening in retail right now: discovery commerce. TikTok Shop has fundamentally changed how products reach consumers. Instead of paying for ads, brands are now building creator networks — and the smartest ones are doing it in a way that mirrors exactly what every good retailer already knows about range building, customer loyalty, and repeat purchase.Luke launched YAS CLEAN in November 2024. His first livestream generated £70,000. Within his first year he fulfilled over 650,000 orders across six countries, sold 10,000 bottles of one product in seven days, and achieved 45% repeat customer rates in December — for a cleaning brand, in the hardest trading month of the year. He also won TikTok's Breakout Seller of the Year Award.But what makes this conversation genuinely useful for any product business owner isn't the headline numbers. It's the retail logic behind every decision he made — why virality isn't a strategy, how to think about product range in a world driven by social selling, and what discovery commerce means for anyone selling physical products. If you want to understand whether TikTok Shop belongs in your channel mix, this episode is for you.Chapter Timestamps00:00 — The hook: 3,000 creators waiting to promote one product01:26 — Luke's retail career: From John Lewis buyer to TikTok creator04:12 — YAS CLEAN launch: £70K first livestream and 650,000 orders in year one10:02 — Building a product range vs chasing viral moments15:45 — Discovery commerce explained: How TikTok Shop's creator model works19:34 — Live shopping as real-time customer feedbackUseful LinksYAS CLEAN on TikTok: @yascleanGet 50% off and free shipping with Faire - https://fairewholesaleinc.sjv.io/APj4axResilient Retail Club: www.resilientretailclub.com/podcast/Catherine on LinkedIn: uk.linkedin.com/in/catherineerdlyMentioned in this episode:Home and Gift Association is our sponsor this monthhttps://www.homeandgiftassociation.org.uk/
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  Retail Trends 2026: How Independent Retailers Should Use Generative AI 04.06.2026 19min

  AI is everywhere in retail right now — but are you actually using it in a way that's helping your business grow, or could it quietly be working against you?This episode is brought you by Faire who are offering 50% off and free shipping against new orders. Use the code "Resilient50" at checkout.This episode also features a free downloadable resource. Go to http://resilientretailclub.com/ai to claim it.Hi, I'm retail strategist and founder of Resilient Retail Club, Catherine Erdly. And in this episode of the Resilient Retail Game Plan, I'm sharing the honest picture of how independent retailers are actually using generative AI in 2026.According to government data, just 16% of UK businesses are formally using AI — yet surveys suggest up to 80% of SME decision-makers have tried it in some form. The reality? Most people are using it to write emails faster, draft product descriptions, handle awkward customer messages, and generate ideas. And that's where it genuinely shines.But there are pitfalls too. I'm talking through the messy data problem that makes AI-powered sales analysis fall flat, the real concerns around AI imagery and brand trust, what I think went badly wrong with AI content (including something from my own business that I'm still mortified by), and why leaning on AI for big decisions might be giving you confidence you haven't earned.If you want to use AI smarter — and stay distinctly, unmistakably you — this episode is for you.In this episode:• How retailers are really using AI in 2026 — the stats and the reality• Product pages, agentic AI, and why clarity beats fluff• The messy data problem and what to fix first• AI customer service: the triage approach that works• AI imagery — the jury's still out, and here's why• What NOT to use AI for (including fully AI-written content)• The voice note / brain dump method that keeps your content sounding like you• The confirmation bias problem with using AI for decisionsCHAPTERS:00:01:25 How Retailers Are Using AI Right Now00:07:32 Customer Service, Data & AI Imagery00:13:43 What Not to Use AI For — and the Voice Note MethodConnect with Catherine:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherineerdly/Podcast: resilientretailclub.com/podcastMentioned in this episode:Home and Gift Association is our sponsor this monthhttps://www.homeandgiftassociation.org.uk/
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  Retail Outlook 2026: Why 71% of Independent Retailers Are Growing - And How to Join Them 28.05.2026 15min

  71% of independent retailers in the UK are growing or stable. And 9 in 10 shoppers say AI has made them MORE likely to trust your shop over an algorithm. Here is what the data actually says.(Our sponsor Faire are offering 50% off and free shipping on first orders until July 31st. Simply add the code "Resilient50" at checkout) Hi, I'm retail strategist and founder of Resilient Retail Club, Catherine Erdly.Are you tired of reading headlines that make it sound like independent retail is finished? The noise about AI, empty high streets, and big-box competition can feel genuinely frightening if you are running a small business. But what if the data tells a completely different story — and what if that story is one you desperately needed to hear?In this episode, I sit down with Elyse McAvoy from Faire to unpack the Voices of Retail report — a landmark piece of research that surveyed 650 independent retailers and over 2,000 UK consumers. It is the first time a report of this kind has merged the retailer perspective and the consumer perspective into one honest picture of what is actually happening on Britain's high streets. And the findings will surprise you.Once you listen, you will leave with a clear understanding of what is separating retailers who are growing from those who are struggling, a completely new perspective on AI and your business, and three specific actions you can take this month. If you have been feeling uncertain about whether your shop has a future, this is the episode that will give you the data — and the confidence — to move forward.CHAPTERS00:00 — Introduction: Why This Report Matters for Every Independent Retailer02:30 — Key Findings: AI, the 71% Statistic and the Branding Gap07:13 — Consumer Spending Power: What Shoppers Are Ready to Spend With You10:28 — What to Do Now: Three Practical Actions to Take This MonthUSEFUL LINKS📥 Download the Voices of Retail report free from the Spring Fair website — link in show notes🛒 Explore Faire as a wholesale marketplace: faire.com🎙 More episodes: resilientretailclub.com/podcast🔗 Connect with Catherine: linkedin.com/in/catherineerdly
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  Retail Time Management: Stop Juggling Everything and Finally Get Ahead! 21.05.2026 21min

  Do you ever feel like you're doing everything right, yet somehow still falling behind?If you run an independent retail business, you are not imagining things. Between buying stock, managing your team, keeping up with your marketing, handling customer service, and everything else that lands on your desk — the sheer volume of what your job involves would overwhelm anyone.This is not a time management failure. It is simply the reality of running a retail business single-handedly.But there is a question underneath all of this that most retailers never stop to ask, and it is the one that changes everything.Hi, I'm retail strategist and founder of Resilient Retail Club, Catherine Erdly. And in this episode of the Resilient Retail Game Plan, I'm unpacking the framework I use with my one-to-one clients in my Retail by Design programme — a step-by-step approach to understanding how you're really spending your time, building a structure that actually works, and protecting the focused work hours that move your business forward.If you have been telling yourself for months that you will start that project "when things slow down" — this episode is for you. I work with clients who have just two hours a day after the kids are in bed, and clients who get one day a week away from the shop floor. The system I'm sharing works at every capacity level. Listen to the end to discover a clear, practical path out of the overwhelm — and toward a calmer, more intentional, and ultimately more profitable week.Listener Benefits (What You'll Discover)Why most independent retailers have less time than they think — and why that's actually the start of something usefulThe exact time-tracking method that reveals where your hours are really going (with a free tool recommendation)How to build a weekly structure around your BAU tasks so you're not starting from scratch every MondayWhy being "always available" is silently costing you hours every week — and the simple boundaries that fix it📍 Ready to reclaim your time? Free resources: resilientretailclub.com/juggleChapter Timestamps00:00 – Introduction: Why Independent Retailers Are Always Falling Behind02:34 – Steps 1 & 2: How to Track Your Time and Understand What's Really Happening06:10 – Steps 3 & 4: Building Your Weekly Structure and Batching Your Tasks12:35 – Steps 5 & 6: Quarterly Planning, Decision Fatigue, and Knowing When to Let GoLinks & Resources🔗 Free time management resources: resilientretailclub.com/juggle🔗 The Resilient Retail Club: resilientretailclub.com📱 Toggl (free time-tracking app): toggl.com🎙️ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube — new episodes every ThursdayMentioned in this episode:Home and Gift Association is our sponsor this monthhttps://www.homeandgiftassociation.org.uk/
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  Retail Stock Ordering: Two questions every product business must answer 14.05.2026 12min

  "How much should I order?" sounds like one question. It's actually two — and most product business owners only ever answer one of them.(This episode features a free download resource at http://resilientretailclub.com/order)Hi, I'm retail strategist and founder of Resilient Retail Club, Catherine Erdly.In this episode, I'm breaking down the critical difference between product-level stock ordering (the tactical "how many of this line") and business-level stock planning (the strategic "what can I afford overall"). Drawing on my time as a buyer at Paperchase and the frameworks in my book Tame Your Tiger, I'll explain why forecasting apps, Shopify Sidekick, ChatGPT and Claude can all give you the right answer to the wrong question — and how that slowly turns a healthy business into a cash-hungry "tiger".In this episode:Why most stock forecasting tools assume you have unlimited cashThe simple reorder calculation that still mattersWhat "the tail" isThree better questions to ask before you place a single orderThe supermarket scanner analogy that makes stock budgeting clickIf you're constantly reordering but never feel on top of your stock, pause and plan with this one.🐅 Tame Your Tiger — my book on stock, cash flow and building a calmer product business💬 Come and say hi on Instagram: @resilientretailclubPrefer to watch podcasts? Here's mine - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFwdhK_WMJvXntxKLZj83Inz1fFNAN2PMentioned in this episode:Home and Gift Association is our sponsor this monthhttps://www.homeandgiftassociation.org.uk/
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  Retail insights around the "Invisible Ceiling": Why Your Shop Has Stalled 07.05.2026 11min

  You’ve opened your shop. You’re selling. You have loyal customers. And yet something feels stuck... (this episode features a free download resource at http://resilientretailclub.com/systemsYour sales are inconsistent, stock builds up or runs out, cash feels tight even on the good weeks.Hi, I'm retail strategist and founder of Resilient Retail Club, Catherine Erdly.In this episode, I'm naming the “invisible ceiling” independent retailers hit when they move from opening a shop to running a proper retail business — and explain exactly what structure the next level needs.Drawing on my recent road trip through Devon, Cornwall and Dorset, and nearly 20 years inside seven-, eight-, nine- and ten-figure retail chains, I'll talk you through the systems that separate hobby shops from real businesses: sales plans, stock plans, trading calendars, cash flow visibility, team roles and SOPs.If you’ve ever wondered “is there more to this?” — this episode is your answer.In this episode:Why so many independent retailers start their business “almost by accident”The invisible ceiling that stalls shops around the 1–3 year markThe difference between opening a shop and running a retail businessThe six systems every next-level retail business needsWhy there is no such thing as a “natural business person” — and what to do insteadHow to know whether you need the Stock Doctor, Retail by Design, or just the back catalogueResources mentioned:Episode 299 — Retail Bottleneck: How to Stop Being the “Go-To” for Every Answer in Your BusinessBook: Tame Your Tiger: How to Stop Your Product Business Eating You AliveStock Doctor — done-for-you stock managementRetail by Design — my 1:1 serviceThe Resilient Retail Club — reopening later this yearresilientretailclub.com
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  Retail Stock, Profit and Mindset: Three Pillars of a Resilient Retail Business 30.04.2026 14min

  This episode contains a freebie download. Scroll down to find it.Believe it or not — today is episode 300 of the Resilient Retail Game Plan.Hi, I'm Catherine Erdly and in this episode, which is six years, 300 episodes, and over 1 million downloads later since I started this podcast, I'm sharing a fast track to the biggest themes that have shaped this podcast and the retailers who listen to it.In this milestone episode, I'll walk you through the four essential episodes from the back catalogue that I believe every independent retailer needs to hear.Whether you're brand new to the show or a long-time listener, these are the ones that cut to the heart of what it really takes to build a resilient retail business.So what are the three big themes?Stock. Profit. And mindset.Visit the episode's show notes for links to all the episodes mentioned at https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcast-episode/retail-stock-management-profit-and-mindset/And ensure you go to this link for your free download: resilientretailclub.com/300.
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  Retail Bottleneck: How to stop being the go-to for every question in your business 23.04.2026 15min

  This episode is sponsored by Intuit Mailchimp. Do your retail team ask you the same questions over and over? Has "what are we focusing on this week?" become the soundtrack to your inbox?Hi, I'm Catherine Erdly and in Episode 299 of the Resilient Retail Game Plan, I'm explaining why so many independent retailers and product business owners accidentally become a bottleneck inside their own business — and walk you through exactly how to fix it.You'll learn why the classic wheel-and-spoke information flow creates constant delays, inconsistency and interruptions; why growing your team makes it worse rather than better; and how to build a single source of truth that finally gets your team self-serving the answers they need.I'll also share a £100,000 lesson from my Coast days on what poor information flow really costs a business, the categories to include in your single source of truth (weekly focus, key dates, stock and order trackers, priorities, SOPs), and the crucial step most business owners skip — how to actually make your team use it.If you've built a business that can't run without you in the room, this is the episode to start unpicking it.Chapters00:00 Why Everyone Asks You01:18 The Bottleneck Wheel02:52 Build One Source of Truth04:20 What £100,000 of Poor Information Flow Really Costs05:50 What to Put in Your Single Source of Truth08:27 Why It Won't Stick (And How to Fix It)10:22 Holding the Line With Your Team13:05 Where to Start (Small and Specific)14:20 Wrap-UpRelated linksResilient Retail Club: https://resilientretailclub.comRetail Roar 2026 summit: https://retailroar.co.ukListen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcastsPrefer to watch? Full episode playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFwdhK_WMJvXntxKLZj83Inz1fFNAN2PAbout the podcastThe Resilient Retail Game Plan is a podcast for independent retailers and product business owners who want to build more profitable, sustainable businesses. Hosted by Catherine Erdly — retail expert, coach and founder of The Resilient Retail Club.If this episode helped, hit like, subscribe and share it with another retailer who needs to hear it.Mentioned in this episode:Home and Gift Association is our sponsor this monthhttps://www.homeandgiftassociation.org.uk/
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  Retail Growth Through Data: Email & SMS Marketing Secrets with Intuit Mailchimp 16.04.2026 31min

  If you're sending the same email to everyone on your list and wondering why it's not driving the sales you expected, this episode is for you.I'm Catherine Erdly, and this is Resilient Retail Game Plan — practical product business advice with a healthy dose of reality.In this episode I'm sitting down with Ali Wood from Intuit Mailchimp to get practical about how independent retailers and e-commerce brands can get dramatically more from their email and SMS marketing — using data they already have.We talk about why fragmented data is costing retailers real money, how segmentation can transform your customer relationships, and why the retailers who win over the next few years won't be the ones with the biggest budgets — they'll be the ones who are smartest with their data.In this episode you'll hear about:Why sending the same message to your whole list is leaving money on the tableHow to use customer lifetime value and buying propensity to automate smarter campaignsThe power of combining email and SMS — including a 22x ROI stat from SMS alone, and 41x when Shopify data is in the mixCreative ways to collect richer customer data through quizzes, pop-ups and behavioural signalsWhat clean data + AI + human creativity actually looks like for a lean retail teamWhether you're just starting to think about segmentation or already running email campaigns and want to level up, this conversation will leave you with a genuinely different way of thinking about your marketing.CHAPTERS00:00:40 The Gold Mine Independent Retailers Are Sitting On00:02:10 Meet Ali Wood from Intuit Mailchimp00:04:40 How Intuit Mailchimp Evolved from Email Tool to Full Automation Platform00:08:22 The Segmentation Shift: Stop Sending the Same Email to Everyone00:11:29 Creative Ways to Collect Better Customer Data00:14:45 Using SMS to Drive Email Open Rates00:15:11 How We're Working With Intuit Mailchimp00:16:33 Measuring What's Actually Working Across All Your Channels00:18:30 Think Strategy, Not Just Open Rates00:21:17 SMS Best Practices: What's Working for E-Commerce Brands00:23:24 The Trust Factor: Why Phone Numbers Are Different from Email Addresses00:23:44 The Numbers: 22x ROI on SMS, 41x with Shopify00:25:58 AI + Human Creativity: The Future of Small Business Marketing00:27:45 Clean Data, Automation & Analytics: The Loop That Wins00:29:07 Catherine's Key Takeaways & Call to ActionMentioned in this episode: resilientretailclub.com/mailchimpNote: This episode was produced in partnership with Intuit Mailchimp. All views expressed are Catherine's own.
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  The Shop Window Pyramid: Visual Merchandising Secrets for Independent Retailers 09.04.2026 22min

  Your shop window isn't just a display — it's a salesperson working for you around the clock.I'm Catherine Erdly, and this is Resilient Retail Game Plan — practical product business advice with a healthy dose of reality.In this episode, I'm joined by Sarah Manning, visual merchandising consultant and course leader, for a practical masterclass on how to make your window impossible to walk past.Sarah shares her four guiding principles — including her signature framework, The Power of the Pyramid — and explains exactly what should (and shouldn't) go in your window. You'll learn why putting your bestsellers on show is usually the wrong move, how to refresh your display every four weeks without a full rebuild, and practical solutions for shallow, narrow, or open-backed windows.We also explore how post-2020 customer expectations have shifted the balance between product display and brand storytelling, and discuss the concept of 'external theatre' — the tools even small independents can use to draw customers in before they reach the window at all.Whether you sell from a shop, at markets, or at events, this episode is packed with actionable insight you can put to work immediately.What You'll Learn:The Power of the Pyramid framework and how to apply it to any displayWhy new, seasonal, and promotional products belong in the window — not your top sellersHow to change your window every four weeks without starting from scratchCreative solutions for awkward, shallow, or open-backed windowsHow the hotspot inside your store connects to your window displayWhere to find visual merchandising inspiration on a limited budget📌 CHAPTERS:00:37 About this episode — how the topic came from Spring Fair01:35 The Power of the Pyramid — Sarah's four guiding principles02:30 Brand story vs. product push: what's changed since 202004:36 What should actually go in your window?05:53 How often should you change your window display?07:27 The permanent skeleton approach08:33 Working with difficult or shallow windows10:18 Open windows vs. backed windows11:55 External theatre: beyond the glass14:57 The hotspot — your 'third window' inside the store16:45 Where to find visual merchandising inspiration20:00 Outro and where to find Sarah ManningConnect with me 🔗:→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherineerdly/→ Resilient Retail Club: https://www.resilientretailclub.com→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resilientretailclub/🎧 LISTEN ON YOUR FAVOURITE PODCAST APP:→ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/resilient-retail-game-plan/id1558090069→ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2EIPFznxQFQHIXmC3QoBFQResources Mentioned:Sarah Manning: visualmerchandisingcourses.co.uk | @visualmerchandisingcoursesThe Shop Drop Blog by Tim Nash — free newsletter every ThursdayMentioned in this episode:Home and Gift Association is our sponsor this monthhttps://www.homeandgiftassociation.org.uk/
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  Retail, The Lipstick Effect, and Why You Should Keep Selling 02.04.2026 19min

  Have you ever looked at the news and wondered whether it's even appropriate to be selling your products right now?If you're an independent retailer or product business owner and the state of the world is making you hesitate about showing up and selling, this episode is for you.I'm Catherine Erdly, and this is Resilient Retail Game Plan — practical product business advice with a healthy dose of reality. This week, one of the most common questions I get from product business owners: should I keep selling when the world feels uncertain?In this episode:→ Why big brands never pause their marketing — and what that means for you→ Why independent retailers are a genuine force for good→ The lipstick effect and what consumer spending data actually shows right now→ A practical social media tip to help you show up more consistently📌 CHAPTERS:00:00:00 Introduction & the question everyone's asking00:00:44 When selling feels wrong: the shared experience00:01:42 Why this feeling is so common in product businesses00:02:51 The mental noise of running your own business00:06:04 The self-fulfilling prophecy & the big brand reality check00:08:25 Why small businesses are a force for good00:09:55 Your duty to share what you do00:11:30 The lipstick effect: are people actually spending?00:12:18 A visit to Columbia Road Flower Market00:12:57 Products are how people show love00:13:31 None of this is trivial00:14:23 Practical tip: separate your social media accounts00:16:08 How Catherine implemented this herself00:17:25 A message for every independent retailer🔗 LINKS MENTIONED:→ Mean Mail: https://www.meanmail.co.uk→ Retail Roar 2026: https://retailroar.co.uk→ Resilient Retail Club: https://www.resilientretailclub.com🎧 LISTEN ON YOUR FAVOURITE PODCAST APP:→ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/resilient-retail-game-plan/id1558090069→ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2EIPFznxQFQHIXmC3QoBFQMentioned in this episode:Home and Gift Association is our sponsor this monthhttps://www.homeandgiftassociation.org.uk/
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  The Power of Community: Why Every Retailer Needs Their People! 26.03.2026 11min

  Nobody talks about how lonely it can be to run a small business.Your friends and family mean well — but they don't really get it. If you have a team, you feel like you have to have all the answers. And whether you're on the shop floor, in your home office, or in your unit, there's a good chance your dog is getting more of your business thoughts than any actual human being.I'm Catherine Erdly, and this is Resilient Retail Game Plan — practical product business advice with a healthy dose of reality.In this episode, I'm being honest about the one thing most business owners never talk about: isolation. And why community — real, practical, human community — isn't a nice-to-have. It's fundamental.You'll hear:Why business loneliness is more common than anyone admits — and why it mattersHow being in a community speeds up your learning, builds confidence, and protects your resilienceWhy hearing about other people's tough weeks can actually make your own feel more manageableHow community can drive real commercial results — referrals, collaborations, and salesAll about the Retail Roar 2026 Facebook community and why it might be just as valuable as the summit itselfIf you've been feeling flat, isolated, or like nobody around you truly gets what you're going through — this episode is for you.🏟️ Free Retail Roar ticket: retailroar.co.uk📩 Join the Resilient Retail Club: resilientretailclub.com📲 Follow on Instagram: @resilientretailclub⏱ Chapters:00:00 Intro01:13 The Loneliness of Business03:56 Why Community Matters06:42 Join the Retail Roar 2026 Community
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  Retail Industry Trends - 2026. Retail is changing FAST! 19.03.2026 17min

  Retail is moving fast — and it can feel like whiplash trying to keep up with every new trend, tool, and headline. But here's the thing: as a small or independent retailer, you don't need to know everything. You just need the right information, filtered through the lens of what actually matters for your business.In this episode, I'm sharing everything you need to know about Retail Roar 2026 — my free two-day online industry outlook summit taking place on 26th and 27th March — and why I believe it's the most important shortcut you can take as an independent retailer or brand this year.You'll hear about:Why staying on top of industry trends actually protects both your business and your peace of mindThe line between useful information and overwhelming noise — and how to find itHow understanding the current consumer mindset can change how you stock, market, and sellThe headline speaker I spent three years trying to book: the legendary Mary PortasExpert sessions on email marketing, SEO, AI search, wholesale trends, marketing strategy, and the future of the high streetThe expert lineup includes:Mary Portas — retail legend, broadcaster, and champion of independent retailEman Ismail — email strategist on what's changing in email for 2026Vee Roberts (Insights for Marketing) — marketing strategy and trendsLuke Carthy — SEO and AI search, and what your website needs to do differentlyTherese Oertenblad (Small Business Collaborative) — wholesale trends and how to get seenIan Nicholson (Vacant Shops Academy) — placemaking and what makes a great high streetThis isn't fluffy. It's information for action — curated specifically for small and independent retailers and brands, so you can stop guessing and start planning with confidence.Get your free ticket at retailroar.co.uk📩 Join the community: https://resilientretailclub.com/📲 Follow on Instagram: @resilientretailclub