Let’s be honest. We’ve all had hard times at some point in our life.
The question is, how did we learn from them?
I love the quote below – because it’s those tough times, that make us who we are. Don’t be afraid of the rough seas…
You probably heard in today’s news, that Poundland was officially transferred for £1 to Gordon Brothers, with Pepco (current owners) financing much of the deal and pivoting back to Pepco retail.
I wrote several years ago, about the decline of the High Street. How shops in small towns, high streets, etc… were closing and it was difficult for them to stay open.
Poundland, which has a store on nearly every high street has struggled.
How has this happened?
Well, in March 2025, Pepco Group (Poundland’s Warsaw-listed owner since 2016) enlisted advisors to explore options for the chain—amid falling sales (down ~6.5% over six months) and surging costs such as national insurance and wage hikes.
Pepco had also tried realigning Poundland’s merchandise with its continental operations—a move that backfired and accelerated the decline.
The turnaround possibilities were so bleak that reputable restructuring specialists like Hilco and Modella Capital reportedly passed; Gordon Brothers (a US investment firm known for reviving distressed assets like Laura Ashley) took the plunge
But why am I writing about this again?
Because it’s important.
Why?
Shopping habits have changed a lot. And I mean, a lot.
Unfortunately, a lot of high street stores, shops and chains are not keeping up with either technology, understanding their customers and/or knowing how to remain flexible and pivot when required.
Personally, with the economic pressures that a number of businesses face, I think it’s going to be difficult for a number of shops. They have to adapt They have to change. They have to be more flexible in how they operate and how they sell.
When was the last time you went into a Poundland?
And did you actually buy anything for a pound?
Today’s Friday Thought is all about thinking outside of the box.
Now for a moment, let’s say you have an asset. How do you make that asset work for you when normal avenues have been explored and exhausted?
Think outside the box.
It’s easier to say it than do it. But… you really have to think hard about what you have.
Take a local pub. Most customers come in the evening, after work.. has a few pints then leaves. Maybe come in for some food on the odd occasion.
You’ve got wifi. You’ve got tables. You’ve got power. You’ve got food.
Why not entice those who need all that.
That’s right. Pub Desking!
So my u13’s football team has been promoted. We finished 2nd in the league.
As a coach, I’m always trying Learn, Evolve, Adapt and Deliver.
But my players are getting better, so how do I challenge them further?
Not just the players, but how do we encounter the opposition? By remaining adaptable during the match and make the changes we need.
LEAD….
There’s so many that talk the talk. But do they walk the walk?
I’ve heard people talk about their intentions to do a particular activity. But do they follow through? Do they make any effort?
You see, it’s all about action. It’s all about movement. It’s all about starting. I talk alot about get going, and do something…
There’s a lot I’ve done. Some of which I’ve enjoyed, I’ve continued to do… and learn more. Some of the things which I’d done and didn’t enjoy as much I put them down as ‘learnt from that’. It’s all knowledge at the end of the day.
Not to reveal my age or anything, but I remember the days (I know… I sound old when I say that!) when, the family used to sit around and watch the big box (the TV) that sat in the corner.
Especially Saturday nights. There were some great shows. As a family, we’d watch them all. Great fun.
But times are changing. And we know they are.
With Netflix. Disney. Amazon Prime TV. And so many more streaming services available, I’ve noticed it in my family, but also studies show… that we don’t all sit around to watch that big box in the corner. (Yes I know it’s not a box, more flat screen!)
In the UK – the BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5 and others are meeting to figure out what they can do to get viewing numbers up!
They’ve realised that they are losing folks to various streaming services and let’s not forget, YouTube along with social media videos.
So what can they do?
Collaborate? – work together, merge… That’s one option.
But what has the real change been here?
The BBC has the iPlayer. And has some good shows. But are they innovative enough with their offerings?
I can’t remember the last time I watched anything on Channel 5.
Channel 4 shows some great documentaries.
We know that shorter videos (reels) or series (netflix) gain the most viewings. People ‘binge watch’ a series they find interesting.
There’s even been interactive shows – where you, the audience, can choose, what happens next!
One thing I know for sure is – habits will change again.
With the introduction of headsets, smart glasses, etc… we’ll all sit there with our own devices wrapped around our own heads, watching what we want, when we want! Not having to wait for a particular show to come on at 7:30pm on a Saturday night!
Call me old… (don’t worry, I can hear you now) but I liked the old way. The whole family, talking to each other, shouting answers to a game show…. Maybe it’s up to us to decide we don’t lose those habits. Talking, socialising, interacting with each other… and not blame it on technology.
There seems to be, a bigger gap between what we see on our mobile devices and reality.
It was my birthday recently. I decided I wanted to go to a particular restaurant, not too far from my home. On Instagram, it have some really good photos, food looked great, reviews were good. All in all – I thought this is going to be a great experience.
So… this is what happened,
I know a few foodies locally. I shared my experience with them. And a few of them who’ve been were surprised. Maybe they got the ‘special’ treatment because they made it clear they would write up the restaurant. But what about the ‘ordinary’ folk.
I won’t be going there again. Ever.
And moreso, who do I trust?
The reviews? (well we know what happened with that fake TripAdvisor Restaurant)
The Social Media? (whilst it looked all nice… is this the reality?)
The Influencers? (don’t they get preferential treatment?)
Alot of people ask… how can I be more happy?
Simple.
Enjoy life.
Be excited about life.
Everything that you do… have pleasure in what you do. Even if it’s going down the pub and having a pint, enjoy it. Enjoy that first sip of the pint. Enjoy the walk to the pub. Get excited about the activities you do… or want to do!
The more excited you become.. the more happy you’ll be.
In life, we’ll be faced with many decisions.
Sometimes, they can be difficult ones. And then there can be easy ones. Either way, we should know in our gut… if it’s the right or wrong.
If it’s not a clear yes… (or at least 90%), then it’s a clear no.
At first, it’s not easy.
Working out, learning, whatever you start… it won’t be easy, and in fact you might think it’s doing the opposite to what it should be doing. But stick with it….
