The Resilient Retail Game Plan

Resilient Retail Club's Catherine Erdly
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Welcome to the Resilient Retail Game Plan - a small business podcast with me, independent UK-based small business and retail expert Catherine Erdly, founder of The Resilient Retail Club. A podcast for anyone wanting to start, grow, or scale a profitable small business. Aimed at independent retailers, e-commerce brands, indie sellers, online shops, independent boutiques, shopkeepers, brands and makers. The Resilient Retail Game Plan is a small business podcast dedicated to one thing - breaking down the concepts and tools I’ve gathered from twenty years in the retail industry in the UK and USA and showing you how you can use them in your small business.

  1. Retail Sales Tracking: Are You Guessing Your Numbers, or Deciding?

    5D AGO

    Retail Sales Tracking: Are You Guessing Your Numbers, or Deciding?

    Do you ever feel like you're drowning in data but still can't answer the simple question: is my business actually going in the right direction? Here's the truth: if your sales numbers feel like noise, you're probably looking at the wrong things — or avoiding looking altogether. 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 revealing: ✓ Why having loads of data can actually keep you more confused, not less ✓ The magic eye problem: why staring at daily sales is stopping you seeing the real picture ✓ The difference between guessing and deciding — and why it matters for your bottom line ✓ The 3 Rs framework: Record, Review, Refine — and how to make it genuinely simple ✓ Why a zero-sales day doesn't mean a bad month (and what to look at instead) Stop reacting to the noise and start reading the story your numbers are actually telling you. Join the Retail Sales Game Plan (cart now open!): resilientretailclub.com/retailsales Resilient Retail Club: https://www.resilientretailclub.com Listen on your favourite podcast app: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcast Enjoying the show? DM your takeaways or questions to @resilientretailclub on Instagram. And if the podcast's been useful to you, please do follow, rate, and review with a comment on Apple Podcasts or Spotify (or both!) — it helps more product businesses find us. Mentioned in this episode: Retail Sales Game Plan - doors now open! https://www.resilientretailclub.com/retailsales/

    12 min
  2. How to Turn One-Time Buyers into Repeat Customers for Your Retail Business

    FEB 19

    How to Turn One-Time Buyers into Repeat Customers for Your Retail Business

    Do you ever feel like you're constantly trying to convince people to buy? Like you're always explaining, justifying, or pushing a little harder than you'd like? Here's the truth: if selling feels exhausting, you're probably spending too much time talking to the wrong people. 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 revealing: ✓ Why nobody is more likely to buy than someone who already bought from you ✓ The party principle: why you're standing outside instead of going in ✓ How focusing on cold audiences burns you out (and kills your profit) ✓ The 1,000 true fans framework that changes everything ✓ Practical steps to turn one-time buyers into repeat customers Stop chasing strangers and start serving the customers who are already inside your door. Links Join the Retail Sales Game Plan waitlist (kicking off end of Feb): resilientretailclub.com/retailsales Resilient Retail Club: https://www.resilientretailclub.com Listen on your favourite podcast app: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcast Enjoying the show? DM your takeaways or questions to @resilientretailclub on Instagram. And if the podcast's useful, please follow, rate, and review — it helps more product businesses find us. Mentioned in this episode: Retail Sales Game Plan - doors now open! https://www.resilientretailclub.com/retailsales/

    12 min
  3. Retail Marketing Without A Plan = Noise! Here's How Retailers Get Consistent Sales

    FEB 12

    Retail Marketing Without A Plan = Noise! Here's How Retailers Get Consistent Sales

    Feel like you're shouting into the void with your marketing? You're not alone—and it's not your fault. Social media wants you reactive, emotional, and constantly second-guessing yourself. Meanwhile, big retailers operate from detailed seasonal plans made months in advance. 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 revealing: ✓ Why sporadic marketing makes sales feel random ✓ How algorithms keep you stuck in chaos ✓ What big retailers do differently (without massive teams) ✓ The marketing structure that actually works for small businesses Stop waking up wondering "what should I post today?" and start building a plan you can trust. Links Get your free Calmer and Consistent Sales Planner: resilientretailclub.com/sales Join the Retail Sales Game Plan waitlist (reopening Feb): resilientretailclub.com/retailsales Resilient Retail Club: https://www.resilientretailclub.com Listen on your favourite podcast app: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcast Enjoying the show? DM your takeaways or questions to @resilientretailclub on Instagram. And if the podcast’s useful, please follow, rate, and review — it helps more product businesses find us. Mentioned in this episode: Retail Sales Game Plan - doors now open! https://www.resilientretailclub.com/retailsales/

    14 min
  4. How indie shops grow sales WITHOUT discounting!

    FEB 5

    How indie shops grow sales WITHOUT discounting!

    Why Profit Matters More Than Sales in Indie Retail Sales growth is often treated as the goal in retail. But without profit, growth just creates more pressure. In this episode of Resilient Retail Game Plan, we look at why profit isn’t optional for independent retailers, and how better stock decisions change far more than just the numbers. I’m Catherine Erdly, and this is Resilient Retail Game Plan — practical product business advice with a healthy dose of reality. This isn’t about chasing turnover. And it’s not about discounting everything to keep cash moving. It’s about making deliberate, data led decisions that protect margin, reduce stock pressure, and give you room to breathe. I’m joined by Paola Majuli, Stock Doctor and former senior merchandiser at global retail brands, to unpack what actually happens when retailers stop reacting and start managing stock with intention. Together, we talk through real client results, what the numbers are showing after six months and a year, and why confidence often returns once the chaos settles. In this episode, we cover: Why profit, not cash flow alone, keeps retail businesses sustainable What blanket discounting really costs you over time How retailers increased sales while holding less stock Why margin awareness changes decision making What better stock management does for confidence and clarity How strategic discounting differs from panic discounting We also talk about Black Friday, overstock, pricing confidence, and why being selective about what you discount can actually drive stronger results than putting everything on sale. If you’re running an independent shop and feel stuck in a cycle of buying, discounting, and hoping for the best, this episode will help you think more clearly about how profit, stock, and confidence fit together. Chapters 00:00 Why profit isn’t optional 01:13 The real problem with blanket discounting 04:08 What the numbers show after six months and a year 06:27 Pricing, margin, and confidence 10:09 Why stock decisions matter more than people realise 12:36 How better data changes behaviour 17:47 Smarter Black Friday strategies 23:44 What confidence looks like in profitable businesses Links Stock Doctor: https://stockdoctor.net Resilient Retail Club: https://www.resilientretailclub.com Listen on your favourite podcast app: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcast Enjoying the show? DM your takeaways or questions to @resilientretailclub on Instagram. And if the podcast’s useful, please follow, rate, and review — it helps more product businesses find us. Mentioned in this episode: Retail Sales Game Plan - doors now open! https://www.resilientretailclub.com/retailsales/

    27 min
  5. Knowing When Your Retail Business Is Ready To Expand

    JAN 29

    Knowing When Your Retail Business Is Ready To Expand

    When Is the Right Time to Open a Second Shop? Opening another shop is often seen as the obvious next step in retail growth. But knowing when to do it, and whether your business is actually ready, is far harder. In this episode of Resilient Retail Game Plan, we look at what really changes when you move from one shop to two, and then beyond. With thanks to this episode’s sponsor SumUp. Get 10% off SumUp hardware with the code GamePlan10 at https://sumup.co.uk I’m Catherine Erdly, and this is Resilient Retail Game Plan — practical product business advice with a healthy dose of reality. This isn’t about chasing expansion for the sake of it. And it’s not a checklist for opening multiple locations. It’s about timing, clarity, and understanding whether the business you have today can genuinely support what comes next. I’m joined by independent retailer Sarah Holmes, from Pencil Me In, who has grown from one shop to three across different locations in Scotland. Together, we unpack how those decisions were made, what changed at each stage, and why the second shop is often the hardest. In this episode, we cover: How to tell if your current shop is ready to support growthWhy growth often feels like exposure rather than reliefWhat changes when each location needs a different roleHow buying mistakes multiply once you have more than one shopWhy clarity matters more than creativity in multi-store retailLetting go of control without losing standards We also talk about how expansion changes your relationship with risk, cash, and your team, and why growth should support the life you want to run, not just the business you want to build. If you’re running one shop and wondering whether there could be more, or you’re already managing multiple locations and want it to feel simpler, this episode will help you think more clearly about what growth should look like for you. Chapters00:00 Why growth is a timing question, not a goal 01:16 From one shop to three and why pacing matters 06:19 Why growth feels like exposure, not relief 09:30 Why each shop needs a clear job to do 11:03 Specialising instead of stocking everything 15:32 The danger of unchecked buying decisions 18:08 Using data to protect cash as you grow 22:22 Letting go without losing control 29:46 Choosing growth that fits your life Links Retail by Design: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/retail-by-design Resilient Retail Club: https://www.resilientretailclub.com Listen on your favourite podcast app: a href="https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    30 min
  6. 5 Common Issues Growing Retail Businesses Don't Expect

    JAN 22

    5 Common Issues Growing Retail Businesses Don't Expect

    The 5 Problems Growing Retail Businesses Don’t Expect (But Almost Always Face) If your retail business looks successful on paper but feels far harder than it should behind the scenes, this episode is for you. With thanks to this episode’s sponsor SumUp. Get 10% off SumUp hardware with the code GamePlan10 at https://sumup.co.uk I’m Catherine Erdly, and this is Resilient Retail Game Plan — practical product business advice with a healthy dose of reality. This isn’t about fixing beginner mistakes or chasing the next growth tactic. It’s about what happens once your business has momentum, and instinct alone stops being enough. After working with hundreds of established product businesses, I see the same problems come up again and again. Not because founders are doing things wrong, but because the business has outgrown the way it’s being run. In this episode, I walk through the 5 problems growing retail businesses don’t expect (but almost always face). These include: Why growth often creates chaos instead of clarityWhat it really means when you don’t trust your numbersWhy being busy doesn’t always mean you’re moving forwardHow everything living in your head turns you into the bottleneckWhat to do when your business no longer fits your life We also talk about why structure isn’t restrictive, how it creates freedom, and what it looks like when a business is designed to support the person running it, not drain them. If any of this feels familiar, it doesn’t mean you’re failing. It usually means you’ve outgrown the stage you’re operating at. Chapters 00:00 Why growth starts to feel heavy 01:36 When success creates chaos 06:09 Learning to trust your numbers 08:26 Busy versus real progress 11:06 Everything living in your head 15:25 When your business stops fitting your life 18:10 Retail by Design Links Retail by Design: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/retail-by-design Resilient Retail Club: https://www.resilientretailclub.com Listen on your favourite podcast app: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcast Enjoying the show? DM your takeaways or questions to @resilientretailclub on Instagram. And if the podcast’s useful, please follow, rate, and review — it helps more product businesses find us. Mentioned in this episode: Retail Sales Game Plan - doors now open! https://www.resilientretailclub.com/retailsales/

    19 min
  7. How to build a profitable online shop while ignoring 'best practices'

    JAN 15

    How to build a profitable online shop while ignoring 'best practices'

    How Artichoke Built a Profitable Online Shop by Ignoring “Best Practice”If you’ve been told that online retail growth means more ads, more automation, and more noise — this episode will quietly challenge that. With thanks to this episode’s sponsor SumUp. Get 10% off SumUp hardware with the code GamePlan10 at https://sumup.co.uk I’m Catherine Erdly, and this is Resilient Retail Game Plan — practical product business advice with a healthy dose of reality. This isn’t about scaling fast or chasing the latest ecommerce tactic. It’s about building an online business that actually works for the people running it. In this episode, I’m joined by Sarah Simonds, founder of Artichoke and winner of Online Shop of the Year at the Boutique Star Awards. Sarah runs an online fashion business in a way most people would say doesn’t scale. She calls every new online customer. She designs systems to protect customer service, not replace it. And she focuses relentlessly on a demographic the industry largely ignores. After 25 years working with retailers, I see this pattern again and again. The businesses that perform best long term aren’t always the loudest or the most automated. They’re the clearest. In this conversation, we explore: Why slowing down parts of the online experience can increase profitHow calling customers dramatically reduces returns and boosts lifetime valueWhat good systems actually look like in a small retail businessHow Sarah uses AI to support decisions without losing human judgementWhy community, service, and clarity still outperform “best practice” We also talk about the less glamorous side of growth — becoming the bottleneck, building resilience into the team, and creating structure so the business doesn’t rely on one person holding everything together. If you run a product business and want online sales that feel sustainable rather than exhausting, this episode will give you a lot to think about. Chapters00:00 Why “more marketing” isn’t always the answer 03:10 Serving an ignored customer demographic 06:20 Calling every new online customer 10:45 Reducing returns and increasing lifetime value 15:30 From pop-ups to online growth 21:10 Removing the founder bottleneck 27:40 Systems, structure, and ClickUp 33:30 Using AI without losing the human touch 41:50 Community, collaboration, and long-term growth LinksArtichoke: https://www.artichoke-online.co.uk Retail by Design: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/retail-by-design Catherine’s book — Tame Your Tiger: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1912300096 Resilient Retail Club: https://www.resilientretailclub.com Enjoying the show? DM your takeaways or questions to @resilientretailclub on Instagram. And if the podcast’s useful, please follow, rate, and review — it helps more product businesses find us. Mentioned in this episode: Cart now...

    30 min
  8. Why Retail Business Growth Starts to Feel Heavy at Six Figures!

    JAN 8

    Why Retail Business Growth Starts to Feel Heavy at Six Figures!

    Why Retail Business Growth Starts to Feel Heavy at Six Figures If your retail business is doing well on paper, but somehow feels heavier than it used to, this episode is for you. With thanks to this episode’s sponsor SumUp.com. Get 10% off hardware with the code GamePlan10. I’m Catherine Erdly, and this is the Resilient Retail Game Plan — product business advice with a healthy dose of reality. This isn’t about chasing more sales or adding more tactics. It’s about the moment growth stops feeling exciting and starts feeling risky. When decisions feel heavier. When stock, cash flow and planning won’t switch off in your head. And when everyone assumes you’re doing brilliantly, but you’re quietly feeling stretched. After 25 years in retail, I’ve seen this pattern again and again. Hitting six figures doesn’t magically make things easier. For many founders, it’s the point where relying on instinct stops working and structure becomes essential. In this episode, I talk through why growth often starts to feel heavy at this stage, why it’s not a motivation problem, and what actually helps founders move from reacting to leading again. I also explain how Retail by Design and Stock Doctor work together to bring clarity, calm and confidence back into growing product businesses — without overwhelm or fluff. If you’re tired of winging it, second-guessing decisions, or carrying everything in your head, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on — and what support should look like at this stage of growth. Chapters:00:00 The 'Heaviness' Struggle for Product Retailers 05:42 Stock & Strategy Solutions 06:49 "Retail Growth Through Stock Insight" 10:06 "Retail by Design Program" Links:Website: https://resilientretailclub.com Retail Sales Game Plan: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/retailsales/ Enjoy the episode? DM me your takeaways or questions @resilientretailclub on Instagram. And if you find the show useful, please follow, rate and review — it helps more product businesses find us. Mentioned in this episode: Retail Sales Game Plan - doors now open! https://www.resilientretailclub.com/retailsales/

    16 min
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About

Welcome to the Resilient Retail Game Plan - a small business podcast with me, independent UK-based small business and retail expert Catherine Erdly, founder of The Resilient Retail Club. A podcast for anyone wanting to start, grow, or scale a profitable small business. Aimed at independent retailers, e-commerce brands, indie sellers, online shops, independent boutiques, shopkeepers, brands and makers. The Resilient Retail Game Plan is a small business podcast dedicated to one thing - breaking down the concepts and tools I’ve gathered from twenty years in the retail industry in the UK and USA and showing you how you can use them in your small business.

Information

  • Creator
    Resilient Retail Club's Catherine Erdly
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    294
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Resilient Retail Club's Catherine Erdly
  • Show Website
    The Resilient Retail Game Plan

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