Ever come up for air after Christmas and wonder, “Is it just me, or was that a whirlwind?” If the season left you exhausted, proud, or simply eager for a new approach, you’re in good company. What if the real magic for next year’s retail success is hidden not in data, but in the feelings and flashes of inspiration you’re having right now?

Let’s talk about putting that overwhelm aside and turning Christmas chaos into solid strategy. Ready for some information for action?

Episode Snapshot: What’s Inside

In this episode of the Resilient Retail Game Plan podcast, Catherine Erdly stretches out a hand to fellow indie retailers navigating the post-Christmas haze. Forget the spreadsheets (for now). It’s an invitation to reflect: what worked, what needs tweaking, and what bright sparks caught your eye for next year. Drawing on her 25 years in retail (yes, she’s been in more “lessons learned” meetings than most of us have had mince pies), Catherine shares real-world product business advice—no fluff, just practical prompts to build your most resilient festive season yet.

Key Lesson #1: Celebrate Your Wins (Yes, Even the Small Ones)

Let’s be honest—most small business owners are terrible at celebrating their own achievements. How often have you completed a massive task only to move instantly to “what’s next”? It’s like finishing a marathon and then forgetting to take your medal.

Catherine reminds us that at Christmas, you’re not just selling products. You’re part of hundreds, maybe thousands, of people’s celebrations. That’s a genuine win for any independent retailer.

So, how do you actually put this into practice?

• Pause and reflect: What was your proudest moment this season? Did you finally nail your packaging? Tackle customer service with grace on the busiest day?
• Acknowledge the effort: Instead of seeing Christmas as a checklist, notice how hard you worked, and the impact you made on customers’ lives.
• Gut check: Capture your one-line summary of how Christmas 2025 felt. Was it “effortless and joyful” or “never again”?

Catherine’s advice is clear: don’t overanalyse, just notice. Take off the “business owner” hat for a minute and put on your “proud friend” one. Information for action starts with recognising what you nailed.

Key Lesson #2: Small Shifts Have Big Impact

What actually worked for you this Christmas, and what needs fixing? The proof of the pudding really is in the eating—and in noticing which ingredients left a weird aftertaste.

Here’s a simple approach to start evaluating your Christmas, without the overwhelm:

• Internal successes: Were you more organised this year? Did your team shine? Was your product presentation on point?
• External wins: Did your couriers finally deliver on time? Did that magazine feature bring a spike in sales? Did your sales platform or wholesale partnerships pull through?
• Room for improvement: What felt clunky or stressful? Did anything surprise you—good or bad? Any products unexpectedly fly off the shelves? Any you’d bet on but barely sold?

What’s crucial here is Catherine’s encouragement to take out self-judgement. Instead of “I should have done X”, ask “what would I change next time?”. Each year in retail, you build a stronger toolkit—layering your learnings like extra layers in a Christmas trifle.

Mini-case study:
One indie jeweller Catherine worked with used this quiet post-Christmas window to jot down what had gone smoothly (her pop-up events) and what hadn’t (one courier disaster). She didn’t try to solve every issue straight away, but she made notes for January—which paid off the following November.

Small business reality: you won’t remember every detail once February arrives. Capturing these thoughts now is a shortcut to a smoother, more profitable Christmas 2026.

Key Lesson #3: Inspiration Is Everywhere—If You Pause to Look

For many, Christmas is the busiest time of year, and it’s all too easy to miss the creative ideas swirling around you. Catherine urges us to look outward, not just inward:
“You can’t read the label from inside the jar.”

So, what can you do?

• Seek ideas beyond your sector: Did a local café run a clever festive campaign? Was there an influencer or creator whose content stood out? Did you spot a big-brand ad that genuinely appealed—why?
• Notice your own behaviour: Scan your inbox. Which marketing emails did you open? Did the subject line grab you, or was it brand loyalty?
• Reflect on purchasing choices: Why did you buy what you bought for Christmas? Convenience? Emotion? Packaging? The story behind the brand? If something caught your attention, there’s a lesson there.

Here’s the gold: Your own buying behaviour is often a fast-track window into your customer’s mindset. Most indie retailers started out as their own ideal customers. So, whether you found yourself buying last-minute gifts at an event or opening every email from your favourite artisan, imagine how that translates to your audience.

Client example:
Catherine once bought a plant milk maker after binge-watching YouTube testimonials. Was it a good purchase? Jury’s still out. But the lesson—that customers need helpful information and emotional resonance—sticks.

Make the Data Yours (When You’re Ready)

If you’re feeling up for some light number-jotting now (or next week), try this:

• What were your best sellers—and what sold out too quickly?
• Which products didn’t shift, and what did you expect?
• Did you run out of stock and miss easy sales?
• Where did your conversion rate spike or slip?
• What do you want to do less of next year? What categories deserve more attention?

But as Catherine says, focus on feelings and observations for now. Hard numbers can wait for January—today’s about noticing sparks.

‘Information for Action’: Your Christmas Reflection Checklist

If you want actionable product business advice, here’s your quick list to revisit after listening:

• Celebrate your wins—big and small.
• Capture your gut reaction to Christmas 2025 in one sentence.
• List what made you truly proud.
• Note internal and external things that worked.
• Identify clunky or stressful moments, without judgement.
• Look beyond your own niche for inspiration.
• Review your inbox: what emails stopped you scrolling?
• Reflect on your own purchases—why did you buy what you bought?
• Jot down early ideas for Christmas 2026, based on feeling, not numbers.

Remember, knowledge is power. What matters is turning observations into plans.

Listen, Subscribe, and Join the Club

Feeling inspired to put these lessons into action and build the product business you really want? Now’s the perfect time.

Listen to the full episode for Catherine’s candid advice, real examples, and more warm encouragement.
Want support and strategy all year round? Join the Resilient Retail Club for community, courses, and expert help for independent retailers.

Let’s make sure your next Christmas is smoother, more profitable, and maybe even a little bit fun.