The Resilient Retail Game Plan

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.ukI’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 answer03:10 Serving an ignored customer demographic06:20 Calling every new online customer10:45 Reducing returns and increasing lifetime value15:30 From pop-ups to online growth21:10 Removing the founder bottleneck27:40 Systems, structure, and ClickUp33:30 Using AI without losing the human touch41:50 Community, collaboration, and long-term growthLinksArtichoke: https://www.artichoke-online.co.ukRetail by Design: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/retail-by-designCatherine’s book — Tame Your Tiger: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1912300096Resilient Retail Club: https://www.resilientretailclub.comEnjoying 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 By...

Why Retail Business Growth Starts to Feel Heavy at Six FiguresIf 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 Retailers05:42 Stock & Strategy Solutions06:49 "Retail Growth Through Stock Insight"10:06 "Retail by Design Program"Links:Website: https://resilientretailclub.comRetail 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:Get 10% off with SumUp - Use code GamePlan10https://www.resilientretailclub.com/RRGPsumupSum Up - 10% off hardware - use code "Game Plan 10"Retail By DesignGo to https://resilientretailclub.com/

Meta Ads Have Changed – What Actually Works in 2026If Meta ads feel like a wild goose chase lately, you’re not alone—and you’re not imagining things.With thanks to this episode's sponsor SumUp (https://sumup.com) Use the code 'GamePlan10' to get 10% off hardware from their online shop!Hi, I'm Catherine Erdly, and this week on The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I’m rolling up my sleeves with Meta Ad strategist CJ Sinclair to dig into why product business advice for retailers is evolving fast.Algorithms have turned upside down.Forget the old playbook; smaller brands now have the nimble edge over the big guns. From creative diversity to new ways to track ROAS and cash flow for retailers, we break down what actually moves the needle in 2026. I’m bringing my 25 years in the trade—plus CJ Sinclair’s day-to-day on the ground—for an episode that’s equal parts practical know-how and myth-busting.Why listen?Squeeze more margin from your Meta ad spend, even with a modest budgetNail creative that cuts through—no high-gloss neededGet independent retailer tips to speed up pivoting, not just scaling a product businessAvoid common ROAS mistakes and measure what matters for profitConnect your email, website and socials for rich marketing strategies that don’t break the bankLearn how to improve cash flow in a small product business while boosting conversion ratesLinks:Website: https://resilientretailclub.comRetail 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:Freebie downloadStock FreebieGet 10% off with SumUp - Use code GamePlan10https://www.resilientretailclub.com/RRGPsumupSum Up - 10% off hardware - use code "Game Plan 10"

Ever wondered what Christmas really felt like at the sharp end of retail—and what it’s whispering about your 2026 playbook?This episode of "The Resilient Retail Game Plan" is brought to you by SumUp. Get 10% off their hardware by clicking the link and using the coupon code "GamePlan10"I’m Catherine Erdly, and welcome to this festive edition of the Resilient Retail Game Plan—your product business advice, with a side of reality.This isn’t a spreadsheet post-mortem, it’s an honest (sometimes wry) look at how Christmas truly landed for independent retailers.After 25 years in retail, I know December isn’t just numbers, it’s stories, triumphs and warnings we need to catch while they’re fresh—because come January, all that noise gets buried under new-year resolutions and stocktakes.In this episode, I’ll invite you, not just to audit your cash flow for retailers or nit-pick inventory management, but to actually feel your festive season.Think: one sentence gut-checks, inspiration scavenger hunts, and surprisingly useful lessons from your own inbox, shopping habits and the businesses that quietly wowed you.Mentioned in this episode:Get 10% off with SumUp - Use code GamePlan10https://www.resilientretailclub.com/RRGPsumupSum Up - 10% off hardware - use code "Game Plan 10"

January clearance doesn’t have to feel like a panic move, a brand compromise, or an admission of failure.This episode of "The Resilient Retail Game Plan" is brought to you by SumUp. Get 10% off their hardware by clicking the link and using the coupon code "GamePlan10"Hi, I’m Catherine Erdly.This week on the Resilient Retail Game Plan, I’m walking you through how to run a proper stock clearance. Not a blanket discount. Not a last-minute scramble. But a strategic, cash-releasing reset that helps you start the year lighter, clearer, and more profitable.If the idea of discounting makes you nervous, you’re not alone. I hear it all the time. Fear of damaging your brand. Fear of training customers to wait for sales. Fear of “doing it wrong”.So in this episode, I break down exactly how experienced retailers approach January clearance, and how small product businesses can do the same, without ending up on a discount treadmill.We talk about when to run your sale, what should and shouldn’t go into it, how deep to discount, and what to do if stock still isn’t shifting.This is about releasing trapped cash, reducing mental load, and giving your business the space it needs to move forward.We cover:– Why clearance is a strategic tool, not a failure– What stock belongs in a clearance sale (and what absolutely doesn’t)– How to decide your discount levels without obsessing over margin– Why January is different in the customer’s mind– How to plan and promote your sale so it actually works– What to do if products still don’t sell– How clearance can increase full-price sales– Turning stuck stock into space, cash and clarityIf you’re heading into January with a stockroom that feels heavy, overwhelming, or quietly stressful, this episode will help you take control of it properly.Links:Website: https://resilientretailclub.comRetail 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:Get 10% off with SumUp - Use code GamePlan10https://www.resilientretailclub.com/RRGPsumupSum Up - 10% off hardware - use code "Game Plan 10"Freebie downloadStock Freebie