What do this summer’s trading patterns tell us about the Golden Quarter ahead? In this episode of Retail Reckoning, retail expert Claire Bailey unpacks the UK retail trends every high street and e-commerce business should know before heading into Christmas.

From the impact of hot weather on spending habits, to back-to-school and back-to-university purchasing, shifting consumer moods, and the growing importance of convenience, Claire explains how these factors will shape winners and losers in the months ahead.

We cover:

How summer sales trends influence Christmas performance

Why “convenience is currency” for today’s shopper

Back-to-school and student retail opportunities

The role of localisation vs national retail strategy

How to use your data for better seasonal planning

Whether you run a high street store, manage a retail chain, or sell online, this episode gives you practical, data-driven insights to help you prepare for the most important retail period of the year.

Welcome to “Retail Reckoning,” the place where you get the real truth about what’s happening on Britain’s high streets.

Hosted by Claire Bailey, aka "the retail champion", this podcast is basically a walking encyclopedia for all things retail. We skip the sugar-coating and get straight to the good stuff.

Claire brings you sharp insights, honest stories, and no-fluff advice from someone who's 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!