The Customer Connect Podcast now includes an extra monthly episode designed just for seasonal business operators. These episodes focus on the unique challenges of trading in short bursts and making the most of your peak periods.

Seasonal operators include:

• Christmas shops
• Ski hire businesses
• Tourism retailers, cafés, and accommodation
• Event operators
• Wedding providers
• Garden centres and nurseries
• Ice-cream shops, hot chocolate bars, eggnog makers
• Nail salons and blow-dry bars during peak social seasons

With 17 years running her own seasonal retail business, host Nicole Keleher shares practical ways to manage cash flow, prepare your team, and—most importantly—deliver a standout customer experience when it matters most.

For simple, light-bulb ideas to help your seasonal business thrive, listen along each month

Instagram: @theretailmarketers
Website: theretailmarketers.com
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers

Welcome to the first episode of Experience Wins, a new monthly series on the Customer Connect podcast. In each instalment, Nicole shares practical customer experience ideas drawn from real businesses across different industries. These are not abstract theories, but examples you can adapt in your own store, service, or team. The focus is on simple touches that create stronger connections, keep customers coming back, and build long-term value for your business. For simple, light bulb ideas you can use in your business, listen along.

Instagram: @theretailmarketers
Website: theretailmarketers.com
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers

Did you know 84% of customers say they’re more likely to shop somewhere that “feels festive” rather than one that doesn’t (NRF 2023)? Creating a Christmas display doesn’t have to be costly or complicated, yet it can make a real difference to how customers feel in your space — and how much they spend.

In this episode of Customer Connect, Nicole shares practical, affordable ways to bring the festive season into your business. From fairy lights and wreaths to slimline Christmas trees, garlands, poinsettias and small display ideas, you’ll learn how to create maximum impact without sacrificing valuable space or blowing your budget.

You’ll also discover why investing in a few quality pieces pays off year after year, how Christmas displays influence customer mood and buying behaviour, and why even simple touches can give your business a competitive edge in the busiest shopping months.

Perfect for businesses looking to stand out this season and turn festive spirit into profit.

Instagram: @theretailmarketers
Website: theretailmarketers.com
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers

What can small business owners really learn from Disney about customer experience? In this episode of Customer Connect, I’m joined by Vance Morris — a former Disney leader turned entrepreneur — to explore how the systems and “wow” moments that make Disney famous can be used in any retail or service business.

Vance shares how to create simple systems that free up your time, design moments that customers can’t help but talk about, and avoid the common service gap where most businesses believe they deliver great service but customers don’t agree. We also dive into Disney’s idea of “plussing” — the constant improvement that keeps businesses memorable rather than forgettable.

If you want to turn everyday transactions into experiences that bring customers back again and again, this episode will give you practical strategies you can start using straight away.

To connect with Vance Morris:

Website - https://yes.deliverservicenow.com/dsninstitute

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vancemorris/

Instagram: @theretailmarketers
Website: theretailmarketers.com
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers

We’ve reached 100 episodes, and it feels like the perfect time to refine the focus of the Retail Success Series.

In this episode, I’m sharing why customer experience is the one thing competitors can’t copy, how it drives repeat business, and why every marketing decision should tie back to it.

I’ll also give you a first look at my new Retail Experience course, created to help you turn great customer experience into profit. And as a thank you for listening, there’s a little something inside the episode to make joining even easier.

Instagram: @theretailmarketers
Website: theretailmarketers.com
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers

In this 99th episode of the Retail Success Series, I'm sharing five of my favourite episodes so far — and why I think they’re worth revisiting.

This is a curated list of episodes packed with practical conversations, useful marketing advice, and simple shifts in thinking that can make a real impact on your retail business.

You’ll hear:

• The episode that’s had the most downloads
• Why customer experience still matters most
• Marketing tactics to help grow your retail business
• How to define success on your own terms
• The guest that gave me a total fangirl moment

These five episodes cover the topics I come back to again and again with clients and listeners. They're focused on helping you run a better business with less second-guessing and more clarity. Follow the show for straight-talking retail strategy and marketing support.

Instagram: @theretailmarketers
Website: theretailmarketers.com
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers

As business owners, we often get caught up in the day‑to‑day — marketing, buying, admin — and forget what it feels like to be on the other side of the counter. In this short KISS (Keep It Simple Series) episode, I’m asking you to put yourself back in the role of a customer and use those experiences to improve your own business.

You’ll reflect on the retailers you love buying from and pinpoint exactly what keeps you coming back — whether it’s their service, product range, ease of purchase, or the way they make you feel valued. These insights can help you see your own customer experience with fresh eyes, so you can strengthen loyalty and boost repeat sales.

Perfect for independent retailers looking for practical, actionable ways to improve customer satisfaction and keep buyers coming back for more.

Instagram: @theretailmarketers
Website: theretailmarketers.com
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers

In this episode of The Retail Success Series, we’re joined by Sally Oulton, a multi-brand retail entrepreneur and founder of Coastal Vintage, Coast Imports, and SallyO.co. From humble beginnings selling vintage pieces out of her garage to running three thriving businesses including Bali sourcing tours for interior lovers—Sally shares her incredible journey of scaling with purpose.

We dive into:

• How she built a retail brand from just $4,000
• The leap from online to bricks-and-mortar
• Building a wholesale arm in response to demand
• The ins and outs of sourcing directly from overseas
• Why authenticity, branding, and connection are her secret weapons
• What it really takes to grow a product-based business in today’s market

Whether you’re a retailer, product founder, or just love a good origin story, this episode is packed with real-world wisdom and inspiration.

Contact Sally at

Coastal Vintage: coastalvintage.com.au

Coast Imports: coastimports.com.au

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sallyo.co

Instagram: @theretailmarketers
Website: theretailmarketers.com
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theretailmarketers