A new approach to retail, born from a real challenge.
Hosted Retail began when I was asked to help a struggling family-run Garden Centre in the summer of 2026. Cash was tied up in slow-moving stock, running costs kept mounting, and finding money for fresh products was becoming increasingly difficult.
At the same time, I knew independent makers, bakers and crafters faced their own challenge: getting their products into real shops without taking on the enormous costs of running one.
What if we could solve both problems at once?
My idea was simple. Independent Sellers could rent existing shelves, bookcases or floor space, supplying their own products. Retailers would earn monthly rental income plus a percentage of sales, without having to buy the stock.
We put the idea to the test for six weeks, and what we saw was hugely encouraging for both retailers and sellers. But the trial also revealed a challenge: finding and matching sellers with available spaces, preparing rental agreements and managing changes in occupancy all took valuable time and effort.
That's when I realised that, for this to work without creating extra work for retailers and sellers, they needed a simple way to find each other, arrange rentals and manage all the ongoing administration. And that's exactly what I'm building Hosted Retail to do.
Independent Sellers. Established Retailers. Shared Opportunity.
I'm Tina, founder of Hosted Retail
I've spent over 40 years setting up, running and helping businesses across a variety of industries.
Along the way, I've managed teams across multiple locations, advised start-ups, developed sales opportunities and helped businesses work more efficiently. From customer service and administration to managing costs and generating sales, I've always enjoyed finding practical solutions to everyday business challenges.
I've also spent plenty of time on the front line, dealing with customers, making sales and understanding what it takes to turn a good idea into a commercially workable business.
I believe the best business ideas don't have to be complicated. They just need to solve real problems and make sense for everyone involved.
