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Clare Bailey
Clare Bailey – The Retail Champion – is one of the UK’s leading authorities on all things retail, consumer trends and high street strategy. A sought-after expert retail speaker, conference chair and media commentator, Clare is known for her bold insights, data-backed analysis and no-nonsense delivery. She’s also a micro business champion, published author, high street campaigner and your go-to voice when retail needs a reality check.
About Clare Bailey
Clare Bailey is dedicated to the resilience, profitability and future of consumer-facing businesses and their supply chains. Raised in a family of retailers and entrepreneurs, her love for business is more than professional – it’s personal.
Her early career in fast-track roles at McDonald’s and M&S gave her hands-on insight into operations, people management and commercial strategy. Since then, she’s advised the likes of Amazon, SAP, NFU Mutual, O2 and Groupon, offering commercially grounded, strategically sound advice for retail, B2B, D2C and place-based economies.
Clare describes herself as a business engineer – blending commercial data, operational insight and practical strategy to help organisations transform their retail and customer-facing operations into scalable, sellable, future-ready enterprises.
She is the founder behind several successful initiatives and brands: The Retail Champion Consultancy, The Retail Conference, Support for Independent Retail, and The Future High Street Summit – many of which have been widely referenced and replicated across the industry.
Clare has also rolled up her sleeves at the grassroots level, serving as Chair of Sleaford Town Team, a volunteer role where she applied her retail regeneration expertise to help shape her local high street.
A fierce advocate for small businesses, she has worked with the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) and the Federation of Small Businesses as well as supporting B2B brands support their clients such as SumUp.
She is the bestselling author of The Retail Champion: 10 Steps to Retail Success and How to Sell to Retail: The Secrets of Getting Your Product to Market. Her writing appears in leading B2B publications, offering candid, actionable insight to retailers navigating change.
You’ve likely seen Clare on Good Morning Britain, BBC Breakfast, Netflix, Sky News, Channel 5, or Bloomberg, or heard her across national and regional radio. She’s also a passionate supporter of The Retail Trust and previously championed female entrepreneurs through the Spark Ambassador Programme.
Book Keynote Speaker Clare Bailey with The Speakers Agency. Call us on +44 (0) 1332 810481 or email of on enquiries@thespeakeragency.com.
Keynotes, Masterclasses, Panels & Guest Lectures
No fluff. No corporate spin. Just real-world strategies, lived experience and sharp ideas you can act on tomorrow.
RETAIL & CONSUMER TRENDS
- The Future of Retail
Where we’re heading, who’ll survive, and who’ll fade out — trends, tech, and shopper shifts you can’t ignore. - Retail Innovation that Actually Pays Off
Fresh ideas and real-life case studies that prove you can stand out and make money. - Omnichannel Without the Overwhelm
How to make online, offline, and your frontline work together — seamlessly.
CUSTOMER & SALES STRATEGY
- Customer Experience that Keeps Them Coming Back
No empty slogans — just proven tactics to create loyalty. - How to Sell to Retailers
Get your product on shelves — how to pitch, price and negotiate like a pro. - Winning with Independents
Get stocked, stay stocked, and build lasting trade relationships. - E-commerce that Actually Converts
Practical, proven steps to grow online sales — minus the jargon.
SUPPLY CHAIN & LOGISTICS
- Supply Chain Smarts: Cut the Excuses, Keep the Stock, Win the Sale
Why flexibility beats cheapness every time — and how to build resilience in a world where disruption is guaranteed. - Resilient Supply Chains for Small & Medium Retailers
Nearshoring, smarter partnerships, creative logistics — how to stay stocked when the big guys panic-buy. - From Fragile to Flexible: Real-World Operations
Supplier relationships, co-loading, sustainable packaging, and the stock stories that make customers trust you. - Make Supply Chain Your Superpower
Turn how you source and deliver into a story your customers want to hear — and pay for.
SUSTAINABILITY & PURPOSE
- Sustainability: Beyond the Buzzwords
Turn ethical retail into real sales — why Gen Z and Millennials care, and how to prove you’re not just greenwashing. - Green Done Right: Competitive Edge, Not Cost Centre
Practical ways to source better, ship smarter, and tell a story that earns trust — and repeat spend. - Energy Efficiency for Profit & Planet
From smart lighting to heating and packaging — how small changes protect margins and the environment. - Purpose-Led Business & Community Centric Brands
Why businesses that put community first build loyalty that Amazon can’t steal — lessons from the Co-op and local heroes. - Hyperlocal & Proud
How physical businesses — from indoor play centres to branded salons — can secure their future by doubling down on place, people and purpose.
PLACE & THE VISITOR ECONOMY
- Reviving Town Centres & High Streets
Practical strategies for BIDs, councils, landlords and place managers who actually want to make a difference. - Placemaking that Works for Retail & Hospitality
How to get local businesses working together, not fighting over scraps. - Footfall & the Visitor Economy
How to turn empty units and dead streets into busy destinations.
INSIGHT & DECISION-MAKING
- Data Without the Dull Bits
Make decisions that grow your margins — don’t just stare at graphs. - Consumer Behaviour Demystified
What your customers really want now — and how to keep up. - Economic Outlook for Retail & Hospitality
What’s next, what’s risky, and what you should be doing about it today.
DIGITAL & TRANSFORMATION
- Digital Transformation Without the Fluff
Where to spend, where to skip, and how to bring your team with you. - Tech for Small Businesses
Affordable tools to stay competitive.
LEADERSHIP & RESILIENCE
- Leading Through Crisis & Change
How to hold your nerve, steer your team, and come out stronger. - Crisis Management that’s Not Just a Binder
Real plans that work when the unexpected hits.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP & PERSONAL BRAND
- Start Up & Scale Up — Without Losing Your Shirt
What works, what doesn’t — lessons learned in 22 years. - How to Become the Go-To Expert in Your Field
Clare’s real-life blueprint for building a personal brand that opens doors. - Media Training & Presentation Skills
Own the stage, nail the interview, and turn your story into headlines.
SCHOOLS, COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
- Find Your Own Path — Beyond the Conveyor Belt
Clare’s journey from quitting Imperial College to building a brand and a business empire — no degree needed. - Entrepreneurship for Young People
How to turn ideas into income — and skip the corporate treadmill. - Apprenticeships, Alternatives & Real-World Choices
What your careers teacher should have told you. - Money Basics for Life
APR, VAT, bank accounts — the practical money smarts schools skip. - Build Your Brand Early
Stand out, get found, get paid — even before you graduate.
Formats Available
- High-impact keynotes (20–60 mins)
- Masterclasses & practical bootcamps
- Moderated panels & fireside chats
- Guest lectures & enrichment sessions for schools, colleges & unis
- Bespoke workshops for BIDs, councils, trade bodies & retail groups
Testimonials
"Clare is massively energetic and focused women who delivered quality training to a range of abilities with ease. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Clare; I came away with a wealth of knowledge in a few short hours.' Top qualities: Personable, Expert, On Time."
Lulu & Lush
"Having recently attended 2 workshops led by Clare for Nottingham Trent University's Future Factory, I would highly recommend her work. She clearly has a deep grasp of her field and presents with a real enthusiasm for her topics. The workshops were insightful and well structured and have led us to implement important changes in our own organisations.' Top qualities: Personable, Expert, Creative."
Independent Restaurateur and Future Factory Attendee
"All Hail the New Mary, Queen of Shops! I spent an hour with Clare 1-2-1 and it's by far the most useful 60 minutes I've spent since opening my shoe shop 3 years ago. Clare has a wealth of experience and expertise with many of the top retailers in the country, but what makes her unique is her ability to translate what they do into a plan that works for small and medium sized retailers. I've now signed up to work with Clare on a regular basis as I believe that with her help I'll be able to rapidly expand my business. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!' Top qualities: Great Results, Expert, Creative."
Independent Shoe Retailer
"I've invited Clare several times to be a live guest on BBC TV news, talking about various aspects of retailing. Here's the thing - I found Clare "blind" as I was looking for an expert in her field, did some web research, and called her up. I didn't need to call anyone else - Clare impressed me straight away as someone who knew what she was talking about, and had a gift of being able to put that forward in a very accessible way. Essentially, if I want to talk to someone who knows about how things are sold and why - Clare's the person I call."
BBC News
"I attended a keynote presentation delivered by Clare at a business expo. It was highly informative and inspiring and Clare shared real insights with her audience. Not to be missed!"
Independent editor and copywriter
"Clare was a guest speaker at a recent event hosted by the Milton Keynes & North Buckinghamshire Chamber of Commerce. Clare was very inspiring and professional, with a very friendly, natural flair. She was very knowledgeable on the subject and gave some good tips to the 40+ attendees. We would definitely consider booking another event with Clare.' Top qualities: Personable, Expert, High Integrity."
MK&NB Chamber of Commerce
"Clare delivered an insightful workshop in partnership with Retail Trust. Clare demonstrated incredible organisation and communication skills, and a deep and professional knowledge. I would highly recommend her as a speaker.' Top qualities: Great Results, Expert, On Time."
Retail Strategy expert and Retail Trust Rework programme delegate
"We were lucky enough to engage Clare to headline the Charity Retail Conference in 2016. She did a fabulous job for us; she has an engaging and lively speaking style and the feedback from the audience was superb. She is immensely knowledgeable about her subject – and will take a brief as well!"
Robin Osterley
"Clare is one of the best connected people in UK retail and we have had the fortune to work together in a number of contexts, most recently, seeing her in action running a brilliant Masterclass for the Retail Trust Rework (resolving redundancy) programme. She is authoritative, engaging and energetic and brings a huge amount of experience and enthusiasm to everything she does."
Mile One Limited
