The Shopping Forecast

The Rise of the Little Treat: Are We Spending More on Mini Luxuries?

Catherine Erdly and Elizabeth Stiles — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000

A rise in online popularity of the ‘little treat’ has us questioning, are we spending more on little treats than ever before? And could the things we buy actually influence the films, TV shows and entertainment that get made?

This episode of The Shopping Forecast explores the pressure to make everything in our lives more aesthetic and shareable. Elizabeth asks whether social media, TikTok and Instagram are turning ordinary products into must-have purchases, from Stanley water bottles and expensive chocolate to beauty products and gym wear. Is the cost of living making shopping more expensive and everyday items seem like little luxuries, or have our consumer habits changed too?

Meanwhile, Catherine goes behind the scenes of the relationship between retail and the entertainment industry, exploring how merchandise sales and consumer behaviour can influence which characters and stories get brought back to our screens. Could our shopping baskets actually be sending signals about what should become the next big film or TV franchise? And what exactly does it mean for a film or character to be toyetic?

The Shopping Forecast is a podcast that proves shopping is about so much more than what's in your basket.

To hear more from us follow The Shopping Forecast!

Get in touch with us at info@theshoppingforecast.co.uk

Youtube: Subscribe to our channel The Shopping Forecast to watch the video version https://www.youtube.com/@TheShoppingForecast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshoppingforecast/

Find Elizabeth

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethstilesuk/

Website: https://www.elizabethstiles.co.uk/

Podcast: The Fashion Brand Clinic https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-fashion-brand-clinic-podcast/id1456543176

Find Catherine

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resilientretailclub

Website: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/

Podcast: The Resilient Retail Game Plan https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcast/

How Much Are We Really Spending on Weddings?

Catherine Erdly and Elizabeth Stiles — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0100

Weddings are becoming a bigger spending event and social media is driving the change, but are all these extra costs necessary for the big day?

In this episode of The Shopping Forecast, Catherine and Elizabeth welcome their first ever guest, Lucy Hitchcock, founder of Partner in Wine and content creator, to talk about all things bridal consumerism. From wedding merch and hen dos to the pressure to create a picture-perfect day for social media, they unpack just how much the wedding industry encourages us to buy.

Lucy talks about her own year and a half immersed in bridal fashion, from choosing pieces she could wear again to deliberately avoiding personalised products that would end up gathering dust. They discuss the rise of bridal merch, how social media has changed expectations around weddings, and whether the pressure to make your big day look perfect online is making weddings more stressful.

They also look at the businesses making the most of the bridal boom and the companies selling products for every stage of the wedding journey. After experiencing an elaborate hen do herself, Lucy admits that some of the things she once thought had gone too far suddenly made a lot more sense when it was her turn.

Plus: Lucy's accidental career as a fashion content creator, learning how to dress for your body, a very clever Duolingo bag collaboration, the eye-patch packaging drama, and why looking good on a dog walk might actually make you feel better.

The Shopping Forecast is a podcast that proves shopping is about so much more than what's in your basket.

To hear more from us follow The Shopping Forecast!

Get in touch with us at info@theshoppingforecast.co.uk

Youtube: Subscribe to our channel The Shopping Forecast to watch the video version https://www.youtube.com/@TheShoppingForecast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshoppingforecast/

Find Elizabeth

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethstilesuk/

Website: https://www.elizabethstiles.co.uk/

Podcast: The Fashion Brand Clinic https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-fashion-brand-clinic-podcast/id1456543176

Find Catherine

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resilientretailclub

Website: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/

Podcast: The Resilient Retail Game Plan https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcast/

Find Lucy Hithcock

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucyhitchcock

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/partnerinwineuk

Website: https://www.partnerinwine.co.uk

When A High Street Retailer Goes Bust, Who Pays the Price?

Catherine Erdly and Elizabeth Stiles — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0100

What actually happens when a high street retailer goes bust? In this episode of The Shopping Forecast, Catherine and Elizabeth get into the murky world of retail administration. From Harvey Nichols and Paperchase to Topshop, Debenhams and Coast, the collapse of a high-street name doesn't necessarily mean the end of the brand — but it can mean a very different future for the people and businesses behind it.

What does it mean when a brand is bought out of administration, and what exactly are the buyers getting? Why can a famous name, website, customer database or intellectual property be more valuable than the shops themselves? And when a business can effectively start again under a new legal entity, who ends up bearing the cost?

They also unpack the increasingly entertaining rivalry between M&S and Aldi, from Colin and Cuthbert the Caterpillar to dupe culture, premium ranges and the battle for the same shoppers. Can M&S protect its premium positioning while competing with Aldi on value? And as Aldi makes everyday shopping feel increasingly special, can M&S remain the destination for those little luxuries?

Plus: the surprising things our pets actually want, leopard-print coats, customer loyalty, perfume-inspired laundry products, AI-generated adverts, why fashion deserves to be taken seriously as a career, tiny photo printers, robot hoovers and the eternal question: is a £400 vacuum actually worth it?

The Shopping Forecast is a podcast about why we buy what we buy — and what our shopping habits reveal about us.

To hear more from us follow The Shopping Forecast!

Get in touch with us at info@theshoppingforecast.co.uk

Youtube: Subscribe to our channel The Shopping Forecast to watch the video version https://www.youtube.com/@TheShoppingForecast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshoppingforecast/

Find Elizabeth:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethstilesuk/

Website: https://www.elizabethstiles.co.uk/

Podcast: The Fashion Brand Clinic https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-fashion-brand-clinic-podcast/id1456543176

Find Catherine

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resilientretailclub

Website: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/

Podcast: The Resilient Retail Game Plan https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcast/

Are Weight Loss Drugs Changing our Shopping Habits?

Catherine Erdly and Elizabeth Stiles — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0100

Weight loss drugs are everywhere, but their impact could be affecting our shopping habits too. From clothing sizes and restaurant menus to beauty treatments and tailoring, a major shift in our bodies could mean a major shift in what we buy.

In this episode of The Shopping Forecast, Catherine and Elizabeth get into the surprisingly complicated relationship between weight loss drugs and retail. Are shoppers buying more clothes because they feel more confident, or less because they don't know what size they'll be next? Will retailers have to rethink their traditional size curves? And could the rise of GLP-1s accelerate the demand for flexible, adjustable and more forgiving clothing? And how much control do we actually have over what we buy?

From holiday souvenirs and the music playing in a shop to price anchoring, scent, storytelling and the fantasy of our ‘future selves’, Catherine and Elizabeth reveal just how easily our surroundings can influence our spending, and why the person you're shopping for might not always be you.

Plus: Zendaya's Odyssey wardrobe, the rewards programmes that are actually worth it, cigarettes making an unwelcome comeback in fashion branding, phones that seem designed to die, expensive sandals, impulse purchases and the surprisingly compelling world of mulch.

The Shopping Forecast is a podcast about why we buy what we buy — and what our shopping habits reveal about us.

To hear more from us follow The Shopping Forecast!

Get in touch with us at info@theshoppingforecast.co.uk

Youtube: Subscribe to our channel The Shopping Forecast to watch the video version https://www.youtube.com/@TheShoppingForecast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshoppingforecast/

Find Elizabeth:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethstilesuk/

Website: https://www.elizabethstiles.co.uk/

Podcast: The Fashion Brand Clinic https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-fashion-brand-clinic-podcast/id1456543176

Catherine

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resilientretailclub

Website: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/

Podcast: The Resilient Retail Game Plan https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcast/

Why Are Online Brands Opening Physical Stores?

Catherine Erdly and Elizabeth Stiles — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0100

Online shopping is booming, but physical stores are far from dead. So why are brands that started online investing in bricks-and-mortar stores, and what does the rise of Gen Z shopping in-store tell us about the future of retail?

In this episode of The Shopping Forecast, Catherine and Elizabeth explore why shoppers no longer think in terms of “online” and “offline”, but simply want to shop wherever is most convenient. From M&S and Lucy & Yak to the growing importance of physical stores as a “shoppable billboard”, they unpack how stores can drive online sales, build brand awareness and create a stronger connection with customers.

They also dive into the psychology of queues, using the launch of Skims’ London store to explore why Gen Z is embracing in-person shopping, delayed gratification and retail experiences. From free gifts and social connection to creating a sense of exclusivity and demand, they reveal why sometimes the queue itself can become part of the product.

Plus, they discuss Primark’s cheeky Skims response, the rapid expansion of Søstrene Grene, Olivia Attwood’s marketing power, oversized packaging, confusing vintage sizing and the things that are getting firmly put in the bin.

The Shopping Forecast is a podcast that proves shopping is about so much more than what’s in your basket.

To hear more from us follow The Shopping Forecast!

Get in touch with us at info@theshoppingforecast.co.uk

Youtube: Subscribe to our channel The Shopping Forecast to watch the video version https://www.youtube.com/@TheShoppingForecast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshoppingforecast/

Find Elizabeth:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethstilesuk/

Website: https://www.elizabethstiles.co.uk/

Podcast: The Fashion Brand Clinic https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-fashion-brand-clinic-podcast/id1456543176

Catherine

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resilientretailclub

Website: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/

Podcast: The Resilient Retail Game Plan https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcast/

Are We Being Manipulated to Buy More? Supermarket Psychology & AI Ghost Stores Explained

Catherine Erdly and Elizabeth Stiles — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0100

With AI-generated ghost stores on the rise, shoppers are entering a new era of consumer distrust. So why do supermarkets tempt us into buying more than we planned? And how can you tell a genuine online store from an AI-powered fake?

In this episode of The Shopping Forecast, Catherine and Elizabeth go behind the scenes of the supermarket, lifting the lid on the clever tricks retailers use to influence what you purchase and the psychology behind store design. From why shops want you to turn right when you walk through the door to the science behind checkout impulse buys, they explore the subtle strategies designed to keep customers browsing and spending for longer.

They also unpack the growing mistrust in online shopping as AI-generated websites and fake online stores become increasingly sophisticated. With "ghost stores" on the rise, Catherine and Elizabeth explore why consumers are researching brands more than ever before, what retailers can do to build trust, and why showing the real people behind a business has become essential in the age of AI.

The Shopping Forecast is a podcast that proves shopping is about so much more than what’s in your basket.

To hear more from us follow The Shopping Forecast!

Youtube: Subscribe to our channel The Shopping Forecast to watch the video version https://www.youtube.com/@TheShoppingForecast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshoppingforecast/

Find Elizabeth:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethstilesuk/
Website: https://www.elizabethstiles.co.uk/
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-fashion-brand-clinic-podcast/id1456543176

Find Catherine:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resilientretailclub
Website: https://www.resilientretailclub.com
Podcast: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcast/

Can The High Street Make a Comeback? And The Rise of Copycat Clothing

Catherine Erdly and Elizabeth Stiles — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0100

Can the high street make a comeback? And why do we keep seeing the same clothes in completely different shops?

This episode of The Shopping Forecast explores the future of the high street and Andy Burnham’s pledge to revive it. Catherine discusses popular strategies for encouraging consumers back to the high street, such as free parking and the rise of pop-ups. Could empty department stores become vibrant hubs of small businesses and experiences? And is the high street really dying, or does it simply need to become more interesting?

Meanwhile, Elizabeth goes behind the scenes of the fashion industry to explain why the same clothes and fabrics can appear in different retailers at the same time. From global fabric mills and wholesalers to fashion week trends and the mysterious art of creating a version of a bestselling product, she reveals how the high street can end up looking remarkably similar, and why commercial inspiration is much more complicated than it may seem.

The Shopping Forecast is a podcast that proves shopping is about so much more than what's in your basket. Each episode, retail strategist Catherine Erdly and fashion brand consultant Elizabeth Stiles discuss the consumer trends and cultural shifts shaping the way we shop, unpacking the psychology behind our purchases and the brands redefining consumer culture.

Subscribe to our channel The Shopping Forecast on Youtube to watch the video version

Find Elizabeth

https://www.instagram.com/elizabethstilesuk/

https://www.elizabethstiles.co.uk/
Listen to Elizabeth’s podcast The Fashion Brand clinic: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-fashion-brand-clinic-podcast/id1456543176

Catherine

https://www.instagram.com/resilientretailclub

https://www.resilientretailclub.com/

Listen to Catherine’s podcast The Resilient Retail Game Plan: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcast/

Will AI Become The New Personal Shopper? And Why Formula 1 Is Fashion's New Runway

Catherine Erdly and Elizabeth Stiles — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0100

Will AI soon be doing our shopping for us? And why are Wimbledon and Formula 1 becoming as much about fashion as sport?

This episode of The Shopping Forecast explores two of the biggest shifts shaping retail right now. Catherine unpacks the rise of AI shopping agents and what happens when artificial intelligence moves beyond recommendations to making purchases on our behalf. Could AI transform how we discover products, support small businesses and even buy gifts? Or will shopping always remain something we want to do ourselves?

Meanwhile, Elizabeth looks at the growing intersection of sport and fashion. From Wimbledon to Silverstone, she explores how major sporting events have become powerful shopping moments and what this means for the future of marketing.

The Shopping Forecast is a podcast that proves shopping is about so much more than what's in your basket. Each episode, retail strategist Catherine Erdly and fashion brand consultant Elizabeth Stiles discuss the consumer trends and cultural shifts shaping the way we shop, unpacking the psychology behind our purchases and the brands redefining consumer culture.

To hear more from us:

YouTube: Subscribe to our channel, to watch the video version

Instagram:Find Elizabeth and Catherine

Contact: /

You can listen to Elizabeth’s podcast The Fashion Brand Clinic, and Catherine’s podcast The Resilient Retail Game Plan

The Era of Shoppertainment: Why Shein Bought Everlane & The Psychology of TikTok Shop Addiction

Catherine Erdly and Elizabeth Stiles — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 09:06:13 +0100

The Era of Shoppertainment, where content becomes commerce, is here. As the rules of retail change, so do the deals shaping the industry's future. So what happens when a brand built on radical transparency is bought by one of the world's biggest fast-fashion giants?

The premier episode of The Shopping Forecast unpacks one of the biggest retail stories of the year: Shein's acquisition of Everlane. Is it a smart business move or are the two companies' sustainability values too incompatible? And what can we learn from TikTok Shop’s reliance on entertainment-driven sales, or ‘shoppertainment’, and its effectiveness for small businesses?

The Shopping Forecast is a podcast that proves shopping is about so much more than what’s in your basket. Retail strategist Catherine Erdly and fashion brand consultant Elizabeth Stiles bring the receipts on current consumer trends and the cultural shifts shaping the way we shop, unpacking the psychology behind our purchases and the brands redefining consumer culture.

To hear more from us:

YouTube: Subscribe to our channel, @TheShoppingForecast to watch the video version

Instagram: Find Elizabeth @elizabethstiles and Catherine @resilientretailclub

Contact: elizabethstiles.co.uk / resilientretailclub.com

You can listen to Elizabeth’s podcast The Fashion Brand Clinic, here and Catherine’s podcast The Resilient Retail Game Plan here