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.🔔 Subscribe to Retail Revealed to stay ahead of what’s happening in retail every week.Support the showIf you've liked this episode please rate, follow, subscribe and share :) - and if you already have, thank you! It honestly really helps to keep this going and growing!Follow us @buyingandbeyond on Instagram Send us a DM or email [email protected] also have a retail buyers membership @jointhebuyersclub  Find out more at www.jointhebuyersclub.co.ukIf you'd like to show a little more love, then head here to give us just a little bit *extra* and show us your support :) thank you!https://www.buzzsprout.com/2300060/support