The Resilient Retail Game Plan

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.Chapters 00:00 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 lifeLinks 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/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:Sumup - act now!Go to sumup.co.uk and use the code "Game Plan 10" for an additional 10% off hardwareSum Up - 10% off hardware - use code "Game Plan 10"This podcast uses chaptersGet an additional 10% off with SumupGo to Sumup.co.uk and use the code "Game Plan 10" to get an additional 10% off their hardware.Sum Up - 10% off hardware - use code "Game Plan 10"Stock doctor

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:Get an additional 10% off with SumupGo to Sumup.co.uk and use the code "Game Plan 10" to get an additional 10% off their hardware.Sum Up - 10% off hardware - use code "Game Plan 10"Retail By DesignGo to https://resilientretailclub.com/Freebie downloadStock Freebie

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 DesignGo to https://resilientretailclub.com/Get an additional 10% off with SumupGo to Sumup.co.uk and use the code "Game Plan 10" to get an additional 10% off their hardware.Sum Up - 10% off hardware - use code "Game Plan 10"

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 an additional 10% off with SumupGo to Sumup.co.uk and use the code "Game Plan 10" to get an additional 10% off their hardware.Sum 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 an additional 10% off with SumupGo to Sumup.co.uk and use the code "Game Plan 10" to get an additional 10% off their hardware.Sum Up - 10% off hardware - use code "Game Plan 10"