Retail reflections 12th September 2025: TV Channels, Loyalty, Marketplaces & Collaborations

We may be a little croaky this week (autumn bugs have caught us!), but there’s far too much happening in retail to skip an episode. So, grab a cuppa and join us for a whistle-stop tour of the latest industry moves, headlines, and a few surprises.

This week, we discuss:

• 📺 Hobbycraft TV – The arts and crafts giant launches its own TV channel, available on Freeview, YouTube, and online. What does this mean for digital-first shopping and hobby inspiration?
• 🛍️ Fenwick’s first loyalty programme – The iconic department store finally rolls out a rewards scheme. Why now?
• 👞 Clarks’ upcoming digital marketplace – A bold step for the heritage footwear brand as they partner with quality names like Hunter. Can they capture more family spend and stay relevant in a crowded market?
• 👗 River Island x Olivia Attwood – A bold, unapologetic new collaboration. Will it help reshape the brand during restructuring, or is it just another influencer collection?
• 🏬 Business rates and retail’s future – The BRC warns that hundreds of large format stores could be at risk. We unpack what this means for supermarkets, pricing, and jobs.
• 🎄 Turkeys on TikTok Shop – Yes, really. Would you trust your Christmas dinner to TikTok?

Despite scratchy voices, we dig into the shifts shaping retail today, from loyalty schemes and marketplaces to influencer collabs and government pressures.

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