The Resilient Retail Game Plan

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 customersStop chasing strangers and start serving the customers who are already inside your door.LinksJoin the Retail Sales Game Plan waitlist (kicking off end of Feb): resilientretailclub.com/retailsalesResilient Retail Club: https://www.resilientretailclub.comListen on your favourite podcast app: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcastEnjoying 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/

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 businessesStop waking up wondering "what should I post today?" and start building a plan you can trust.LinksGet your free Calmer and Consistent Sales Planner: resilientretailclub.com/salesJoin the Retail Sales Game Plan waitlist (reopening Feb): resilientretailclub.com/retailsalesResilient Retail Club: https://www.resilientretailclub.comListen on your favourite podcast app: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcastEnjoying 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/

Why Profit Matters More Than Sales in Indie RetailSales 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 sustainableWhat blanket discounting really costs you over timeHow retailers increased sales while holding less stockWhy margin awareness changes decision makingWhat better stock management does for confidence and clarityHow strategic discounting differs from panic discountingWe 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.Chapters00:00 Why profit isn’t optional01:13 The real problem with blanket discounting04:08 What the numbers show after six months and a year06:27 Pricing, margin, and confidence10:09 Why stock decisions matter more than people realise12:36 How better data changes behaviour17:47 Smarter Black Friday strategies23:44 What confidence looks like in profitable businessesLinksStock Doctor: https://stockdoctor.netResilient Retail Club: https://www.resilientretailclub.comListen on your favourite podcast app: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcastEnjoying 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/

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.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 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 standardsWe 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 goal01:16 From one shop to three and why pacing matters06:19 Why growth feels like exposure, not relief09:30 Why each shop needs a clear job to do11:03 Specialising instead of stocking everything15:32 The danger of unchecked buying decisions18:08 Using data to protect cash as you grow22:22 Letting go without losing control29:46 Choosing growth that fits your lifeLinksRetail by Design: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/retail-by-designResilient Retail Club: https://www.resilientretailclub.comListen on your favourite podcast app: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcastEnjoying 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/

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.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 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 lifeWe 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.Chapters00:00 Why growth starts to feel heavy01:36 When success creates chaos06:09 Learning to trust your numbers08:26 Busy versus real progress11:06 Everything living in your head15:25 When your business stops fitting your life18:10 Retail by DesignLinksRetail by Design: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/retail-by-designResilient Retail Club: https://www.resilientretailclub.comListen on your favourite podcast app: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcastEnjoying 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/