What do this summer’s trading patterns tell us about the Golden Quarter ahead? In this episode of Retail Reckoning, retail expert Claire Bailey unpacks the UK retail trends every high street and e-commerce business should know before heading into Christmas.

From the impact of hot weather on spending habits, to back-to-school and back-to-university purchasing, shifting consumer moods, and the growing importance of convenience, Claire explains how these factors will shape winners and losers in the months ahead.

We cover:

How summer sales trends influence Christmas performance

Why “convenience is currency” for today’s shopper

Back-to-school and student retail opportunities

The role of localisation vs national retail strategy

How to use your data for better seasonal planning

Whether you run a high street store, manage a retail chain, or sell online, this episode gives you practical, data-driven insights to help you prepare for the most important retail period of the year.