Loyalty in retail isn’t just about discounts anymore — it’s about creating experiences customers remember. In this episode, Catherine Erdly talks with Charlie Casey, CEO of LoyaltyLion, about what loyalty means in 2025.

You’ll learn:

Why discounts alone don’t drive loyalty

How experiences like VIP drops & events keep customers coming back

Real examples from brands using loyalty to boost sales

Why loyal customers spend 4× more in tough economies

How to balance short-term sales with long-term trust

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Loyalty Lion
• Never Fully Dressed
• Represent Clothing
• The Inkey List
• John's Crazy Socks

Links referenced in this episode:

• loyaltylion.com
• resilientretailclub.com

Teetering bank balance, shelves groaning with unsold stock, and a to-do list that rustles louder than tissue wrap? Lean in—this festive crunch is survival mode for indie retailers.

Christmas is coming, and with it, that age-old retail cash flow pinch. I’m Catherine Erdly—host of the Resilient Retail Game Plan and twenty-five years deep in this glorious, gritty industry.

In this episode, I break down why September and October send even the most seasoned retailers’ stomachs flipping and how you can manage cash flow during seasonal peaks without losing sleep or profit. From real talk about why “big guys” don’t have it any easier to practical advice for negotiating terms, avoiding stock pile-ups, and clearing out that dreaded dead stock (think: cash stuck in hibernation), this conversation is your no-nonsense lifeline. [cash-register-ding]

Why listen?

• Get honest, human product business advice for weathering the Christmas crunch
• Squeeze more margin from your range (and finally pay yourself as a product-based business owner)
• Learn how to use a retail cash flow template (grab the free download)
• Discover negotiation strategies for small retailers and indie retailer tips only a retail podcast UK like ours digs into
• Find out how to clear excess stock without damaging your brand—or losing your mind

Prefer to watch?

https://youtu.be/Xox17sgis_Q

Have takeaways, sticky situations or guest ideas?

DM @resilientretailclub on Instagram—I read every message.

Don’t miss future episodes of the Resilient Retail Club podcast: rate and follow in your favourite app. For more scaling a product business insight, catch my latest Forbes feature on funding options for indie retailers UK.

Are you running your retail business – or is it running you into the ground?

I’m Catherine Erdly, and on this episode of the Resilient Retail Game Plan, I peel back the glossy sales charts to reveal what really comes after that six-figure milestone.

I’ve seen it firsthand: when independent product business owners hit £100K or more, the chaos, decision fatigue and burnout can hit even harder – unless you’re ready to swap the founder hustle for actual strategy.

Through candid stories and my Focus Framework, I’ll show you how growing past six figures doesn’t have to mean drowning under to-do lists or turning your business into a bottleneck. There’s a smarter, healthier way to scale your retail brand.

Why listen?

• Pinpoint why scaling a product business is nothing like starting one
• Spot the four founder traps (burnout, overwhelm, plateau… and more)
• Shift from gut-feel chaos to data-led, confident growth [quiet stockroom rustle]
• Tame your stock monster with inventory management tips from a 25-year retail expert

**Share your “aha” moments — DM me @resilientretailclub on Instagram. If this episode gives you a retail reality check, rate and follow the Resilient Retail Club Podcast in your favourite app.