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Clare Bailey is one of the UK’s leading retail strategists, helping businesses navigate change, improve performance, and build customer loyalty in an increasingly competitive market.
With more than 25 years’ experience working across retails, ecommerce, and consumer behaviour, Clare has advised everyone from independent retailers to national brands, shopping destinations, and local authorities.
As founder of The Retail Champion, she is known for translating complex commercial challenges into practical and actionable strategies that businesses can implement immediately.
A respected keynote speaker, moderator, and facilitator, Clare regularly shares her expertise at trade shows, conferences, and industry events. She is also a trusted media commentator, appearing across the BBC, Sky News, Bloomberg and national newspapers to discuss retail trends, consumer spending, and the future of the high street.
Whether she’s delivering a keynote, hosting a panel or interviewing industry leaders, Clare combines commercial insight, humour and real-world experience to create engaging sessions that leave audiences informed, inspired and ready to take action.
Known within the industry as “The Walking Encyclopaedia of Retail”, Claire Bailey is one of the UK’s most respected and in-demand retail experts. With decades of experience across every rung of the retail ladder, from flipping burgers on the McDonald’s fast-track scheme to advising C-suite executives at Argos, Clare understands what makes retail tick at every level.
As the founder of The Retail Champion, Clare helps businesses optimise operations, increase profitability and create standout customer experiences. Her consultancy combines commercial rigour with a no-fluff, deeply pragmatic approach. E
Clare is a familiar face across national media, with regular appearances on BBC Breakfast, Good Morning Britain, Sky News, Netflix, and Channel 5. She’s often called on to explain what’s really going on behind the headlines – whether it’s a retail collapse, a Black Friday backlash or the future of Britain’s high streets. A gifted communicator, she translates complex trends and data into plain English, bringing clarity and insight to audiences who don’t live and breathe retail but care deeply about where they shop.
She is also the author of two bestselling books:
– The Retail Champion: 10 Steps to Retail Success – a Practical Roadmap For Retailers Navigating Growth.
– How to Sell to Retail: Essential Reading For Suppliers and Product Creators Wanting to Break Into Stores.

Claire is available for keynote presentations, conference hosting, event moderation, fireside chats, executive interviews, panel discussions, roundtable facilitation, awards hosting, podcasts and live recordings, panel moderation, conference chairing, bespoke workshops, and Q&A sessions.
Retail & Consumer Trends
– The Future of Retail
– Consumer Behaviour: What Customers Really Want
– High Street Revival
– Omnichannel Retail
– Building Customer Loyalty
Leadership & Business Growth
– Leading Through Change
– Building Resilient Retail Businesses
– Commercial Decision Making
– Growth Without Discounting
– Creating High-Performing Teams
Ecommerce & Customer Experience
– The Connected Customer Journey
– Customer Experience That Drives Sales
– Digital Transformation
– Turning Browsers Into Buyers
– Building Trust Cross Every Channel
Other Specialist Topics
– Retail Innovation
– Supply Chain
– Delivery and Customer Expectations
– Pricing and Promotions
– Independent Retail
– Women in Business
– Entrepreneurship

– Amazon
– Autumn Fair
– BBC
– BHTA Retailers Day
– Bloomberg
– Boutique Magazine
– The Delivery Conference
– Drapers
– The Financial Times
– Furniture News
– Metapack
– Public Policy Exchange
– Retail Gazette
– Sky News
– Spring Fair
– Top Drawer
She has also worked with local authorities, business improvement districts, shopping centres, independent retailers, national retail brands, and as an expert legal witness for the Post Office Horizon enquiry.
Clare was an absolute pleasure to work with. She came thoroughly prepared, delivered a compelling and well-researched presentation, and connected brilliantly with the audience. Delegates were queuing to pick her brain afterwards.
Director, Media Regeneration Ltd
I engaged Clare as a keynote speaker for a retailer seminar in Paris, sponsored by the European Lotteries. She thoroughly researched the sector and seamlesly wove this into her presentation, drawing on her deep retail experience.
Ray Bates, Honorary President, European Lotteries
Clare had the room cooked. Clear, practical and full of energy – her insight was spot on, and her passion is infectious. 10/10.
Paul Surridge, Chief Executive, Sight Care Group