Countdown to Christmas Stock (Yes, Seriously) and April Decisions

Hi, I'm Clare Bailey, founder of The Retail Champion.I know it sounds mad to be talking about Christmas in April. But in retail? This isn't early — this is the last window you have to make the right decisions before your options start to disappear.In this episode, I'm cutting straight to it: Christmas can deliver up to a third of annual profit for many retailers. And the choices you make — or don't make — in April will define how your business performs for the rest of the year. The supply chains are under pressure. Import costs are rising. And the old model of buying cheap from the Far East and hoping it turns up on time is no longer a safe bet.I share why nearshoring might be the smartest commercial decision you make this year, how to think about cost versus risk, and why on-shelf availability beats a bargain unit price every single time.What We Cover• Why Christmas planning in April isn't early — it's already late• How Christmas can account for up to a third of a retailer's annual profit• The real commercial risks of Far East sourcing in the current global climate• Why nearshoring — from places like Portugal, Turkey, and Morocco — could protect your margins• The myth of cheap buying: when low unit costs actually cost you more• What you should be doing right now: reviewing, deciding, and locking in ordersKey Takeaways• April is your last moment of real control in your Christmas buying cycle• Supply chain disruption is not background noise — it's your commercial reality• You can't sell what you don't have. On-shelf availability is everything• Near supply often means lower risk, faster reorders, and less cash tied up in buffer stock• Retailers who win Christmas aren't the ones who chased the lowest priceResources & LinksThe Retail Champion: www.theretailchampion.co.ukOther episodes: retailreckoningpodcast.co.ukSubscribe to Retail Reckoning wherever you get your podcastsConnect & ShareIf this episode made you rethink your Christmas buying plan, I'd love to hear from you. Leave a review, share it with a fellow retailer, or come and find me on social media. Let's keep the conversation going.