Aldi's Carrot Wedding, Puss in Boots (in Boots): Winners and Losers of Xmas TV Ads
This year’s Christmas ads are… something else. Hi, I'm Clare Bailey, founder of Retail Champion. In this episode I'm sharing what I feel are my winners and losers of this year's Christmas TV ads offerings.Aldi’s running a full carrot-wedding cinematic universe. Waitrose is flirting with nostalgia. Sainsbury’s has the BFG saving Christmas and partnering with Comic Relief. And John Lewis… well, I’m still trying to work out what actually happened there.I'll walk you through the standout festive campaigns of 2025 — the clever ones, the chaotic ones, and the ones that accidentally make you question how a five-year-old can afford Pandora jewellery.We talk emotion, nostalgia, characters, purpose, retail logic (or lack of it), and which ads genuinely nudge shoppers to take action. Expect honesty. Expect a few eye rolls. And expect to walk away seeing Christmas advertising a little differently.Thanks for listening, and remember — if you see a carrot on a plate before Boxing Day, it’s probably Aldi’s fault.Subscribe to the Retail Reckoning Newsletter - https://retailreckoningpodcast.co.uk/newsletterMentioned in this episode:Retail Reckoning Podcast Insights NewsletterGet Retail Reckoning Podcast Insights and Goodies - https://retailreckoningpodcast.co.uk/newsletterRetail Reckoning Podcast VIP newsletter
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21:49
Leaked Budgets, Wage Hikes and a Milkshake-y Sugar Tax: Retail’s Autumn Statement Wake-Up Call
This fiery bonus episode pulls no punches, cutting through the Autumn Statement spin with outrage and insight. Hi, I'm Clare Bailey, founder of Retail Champion. In this one, we head from the unprecedented OBR leak and Kemi Badenoch’s scathing budget roast to a “minimum wage” hike that isn’t what it seems and a bizarre new “milkshake tax” – we’re calling out the nonsense head-on. We expose how rising business costs are gutting our high streets and question if energy “support” comes with rationing vibes. We even flag the safety risks of the new self-check-in era, and ask who really wins when small shops get a boost at big retailers’ expense.
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15:58
Boxing Day Blues, Gift Cards, and Why Piers Morgan Hates Me
Customers are getting wise to the Boxing Day Blues. Gifts that drop to half price two days after Christmas, last-minute discount emails, and retailers training shoppers to hold back are fuelling frustration and eroding trust. Hi, I'm Clare Bailey, founder of Retail Champion. In this episode, I explain how post-Christmas behaviour has shifted, why bargain hunting is now a year-round reflex, and what retailers can actually do about it.I look at the rise of cash, gift cards and experiences, the emotional shift from “stuff” to “memories,” and what the data is showing us about who’s buying what. I also explore the truth about unredeemed gift cards, and why pairing products with small experiences can boost value perception.Then we take a look at Boxing Day trading culture itself. Should staff work? Should shops stay open? And what really happens when teams feel unsupported at the busiest time of year?Finally, I lay out the simplest solution of all: honesty. And how you can apply that to your business as a retail decision maker.What are you waiting for? Click play to hear all the insights.Chapters:00:00 — Introduction: The Boxing Day Blues00:20 — The Gift Receipt Era01:06 — Why Shoppers Feel Cheated02:23 — Scarcity, FOMO and Late Buying03:40 — The Game of Chicken04:41 — Cash, Gift Cards and Digital Wallets05:34 — The Gift Card Secret06:00 — The Experience Boom07:11 — Pairing Products With Experiences08:13 — Boxing Day Betrayal08:52 — The Price Promise Solution09:49 — Should Retail Staff Work Boxing Day?11:19 — Resentment on the Shop Floor11:42 — Final Retail ReckoningMentioned in this episode:Retail Reckoning Podcast Insights NewsletterGet Retail Reckoning Podcast Insights and Goodies - https://retailreckoningpodcast.co.uk/newsletterRetail Reckoning Podcast VIP newsletter
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13:38
A retail training session's not just for Christmas!
Remember the familiar adage, “a dog is for life, not just for Christmas”? Welcome to Retail Reckoning. I'm Clare Bailey, founder of Retail Champion. In this episode I'm sharing why that's relevant to one of the biggest secrets to successful Christmas trading in retail—training. I'll explore why so many retailers panic-hire and rush new employees onto the shop floor with little to no preparation, risking poor service and damaged brand reputation. I'll share personal stories, practical insights, and examples from leading retailers like Waitrose to show how investing in ongoing training builds trust, drives sales, and creates lasting customer loyalty.Whether you manage a bustling chain or a local independent shop, this episode reveals why investing in your team's skills and service isn’t just an expense—it's your competitive advantage. Timestamped summary00:00 Proper Training Builds Better Service06:20 Building Trust Drives Customer Loyalty08:24 "Emotions Drive Customer Loyalty"12:12 Retail Success Through Culture14:50 "Trust Drives Long-Term Loyalty"Mentioned in this episode:Retail Reckoning Podcast Insights NewsletterGet Retail Reckoning Podcast Insights and Goodies - https://retailreckoningpodcast.co.uk/newsletterRetail Reckoning Podcast VIP newsletter
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Why I Ditched My Book (and My Old Business) for Playbooks That Actually Work
I built my business on conferences and bestselling books — until the world changed and suddenly, none of it worked anymore...Welcome to Retail Reckoning. I'm Clare Bailey, founder of Retail Champion. Lockdown forced me to rethink everything. Instead of republishing my old books, I created something that actually fits the way people learn and work now — short, practical Playbooks.In this episode, I’m sharing how I made that leap, what I learned, and why it’s been the most relevant thing I’ve ever done for modern retailers.Timestamped summary00:00 "Discovering Government Tender Opportunities"05:09 Small Business Owners: Time Struggles08:13 "Accessible Business Playbook Tools"10:01 "Playbooks for Business Growth"13:31 Business Evolution: Bold and NecessaryMentioned in this episode:Retail Reckoning Podcast Insights NewsletterGet Retail Reckoning Podcast Insights and Goodies - https://retailreckoningpodcast.co.uk/newsletterRetail Reckoning Podcast VIP newsletter
About Retail Reckoning - Retail Stories from Retail Frontlines
Welcome to “Retail Reckoning,” the place where you get the real truth about what’s happening on Britain’s high streets. Hosted by Clare Bailey—aka the retail champion and basically a walking encyclopedia for all things retail—this show skips the sugar-coating and gets straight to the good stuff. Clare brings you sharp insights, honest stories, and no-fluff advice from people who've lived and breathed retail for years. Whether you love your local high street or just want to know what’s really going on behind the shop windows, you’re going to get plenty of sass, soul, and stories that actually matter. If you care about your town centre or just want the straight facts on retail, you’re in the right spot. Let’s get into it!
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