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21st
APR

The Cape Is Back

Posted by James | Filed under news

The cape is back, according to a recent announcement by Debenhams. It has in the past 50 years been a fashion item that’s been reserved for private detectives and superheroes but now the once-again fashionable accessory is making a comeback.
Debenhams spokesman, Ed Watson, said: “In true Hollywood style, these difficult times seem to be producing a new generation of caped crusaders.”
Whether or not it’s the economic uncertainty that’s leading to more and more people purchasing capes is questionable, as it whether or not they are crusaders but the reality is this is the new/old in thing.
Cold weather has seen the cape jump back onto the UK fashion scene with the help of celebrity shoppers Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton both of whom were seen sporting the popular jacket.
Ed Watson argues that capes are the choice of superheroes as their designs lends itself both to comfort and warmth but also swirling whilst flying through the air. It’s believed that Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton have both adopted this clothing item for its comfort and fashionable qualities rather than for use whilst fighting crime.

About Debenhams: Debeham’s are a UK high street chain specializing in fashion, beauty, sports goods and home furniture, and with stores across the country selling everything from electrical to womens lingerie instore as well as a whole host of other goods online. More information about Debenhams can be found at their website http://www.debenhams.com/

Tags: cape, Debenhams

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22nd
FEB

Wagamama launch iPhone ordering app

Posted by James | Filed under news

Marketing Magazine reports that restaurant chain Wagamamas has launched an iPhone application that allows users to place a take-away order directly from the handset.

The app also allows users to locate their nearest branch and browse the menu to place their order, which is sent directly to the kitchen for preparation. Users can specify a collection time and pay for the order via the app.

Tags: Business, Chain store, Handhelds, Hospitality, iphone, Marketing, Restaurant Chains, Smartphones

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22nd

Research proves bad customer service impacts future sales

Posted by James | Filed under news

: Image via Wikipedia

Talking Retail reports recent research by the Consumer Forum has found that bad customer service really does impact consumers’ perception of retailers and where consumers are likely to spend their cash.

A survey revealed that more than 80% of consumers tell their friends, family and associates about good or bad customer experiences they have had. And of those who spill the beans its more likely the feedback will be negative. Three times as many respondents (25.2%) would relay bad experience over good (8.4%).

Almost all respondents also indicated that bad customer service would likely compel them to take their business somewhere else.

The Consumer Forum surveyed thousands of customers on all aspects of retail experience, from online shopping to the brands and services they like and dislike.

Simon Calver, CE and founder member of the Consumer Forum said the results provided a real insight into how UK consumers think about where to spend and on what products.

Tags: Business, consumer, Consumer organization, customerservice, home, online shopping, Research, Retailing

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9th
FEB

Boots & Mothercare to form clothing partnership

Posted by James | Filed under news

: Image via Wikipedia

Two of the high street’s big names have announced a joint partnership to launch a new clothing range.

Boots and Mothercare have formed a strategic partnership to design, source and supply a new range of children’s clothing and accessories which will be sold exclusively in Boots stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

“We are very pleased to be extending our relationship with Mothercare,” said Alex Gourlay, chief executive of Boots’ Health & Beauty Division. “We believe this move will further strengthen our baby and child range and build on our reputation for offering great value children’s wear. This agreement demonstrates our commitment to developing strategic partnerships to grow and expand our business”.

Ben Gordon, chief executive, Mothercare, said: “We are delighted with this latest addition to our existing successful partnership with Boots. We expect this agreement to be a substantial development in our recently announced wholesale strategy. Work has already commenced on what will be a distinctive and quality product range for customers”

The partnership strengthens the relationship between the two which already sees Boots sell Mothercare’s Early Learning Centre toys in many of its stores.

Tags: boots, clothing, mothercare, retail, toys

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14th
JAN

Shopping gets you fit, says Debenhams

Posted by James | Filed under news

: Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Good news for ladies who enjoy their shopping – it can get you fit! Yes, retail therapy is the latest in a long line of fitness fads which it is claimed can fight the flab, and many women are already taking advantage of burning a few calories by pounding the streets in search of bargains.

While shedding the folding pounds, women are also shedding the fatty pounds by burning around 385 calories each week with no exercise other than a visit to the shops.

A report in OK! Magazine cited a test conducted by Debenhams which tested ten shoppers (five men, five women) armed with pedometers, and also surveyed 2,000 female shoppers in order to gain an insight into understanding the health benefits of shopping.

Debenhams found that the average women covers a distance of around 2.96 miles whenever they go to the shops, compared to the average man’s 1.5 miles. Over the course of a year, women would walk the equivalent distance of a jaunt between London and Hull.

It was also found that women also spend much longer browsing, with an average of 2.5 hours compared to mens’ mere 50 minutes.

Shoutingindigital can, however, confirm that the additional distance travelled by women is actually that distance between the first and last shops women visited. The additional distance covered can be attributed to when women decide to go back to the first shop to buy the item they saw there in the first place.

Tags: Debenhams, keep fit, shopping, weight loss

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4th
DEC

Furniture-maker Natuzzi accused of price rigging

Posted by James | Filed under news

: Image by exaudio via Flickr

Furniture retailer Natuzzi has denied any involvement in alleged price fixing, for which has been reported to the Office of Fair Trading.

Preston-based independent furniture retailer Cresta has lodged a complaint against the Italian-based Natuzzi claiming they tried to prevent Cresta from selling goods cheaper than Natuzzi does in its stores.

Retail Week reports that Natuzzi issued a statement denying any allegations which said:

“The court will deal with all matters raised, including any allegations of resale price maintenance; allegations that Natuzzi are vigorously defending against.”

Cresta, who have sold Natuzzi goods for the past seventeen years claims it has taped conversations with Natuzzi and will pass them to the court. A Cresta spokesman also stated that they would not be bullied by the Italian firm.

Cresta has been granted an injunction preventing Natuzzi from drawing on its bank guarantee while the OFT investigates.

The news comes just a couple of days after Cary Benson, the VP of Natuzzi’s American arm resigned amid rumours that Natuzzi America had been reported to the SEc and the US Dept of Justice.

Tags: cresta, legal, natuzzi, price fixing, retail

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25th
NOV

Online sales affected by October postal Strike

Posted by James | Filed under news

: Image via Wikipedia

The recent national postal strike causes a huge slowdown in the growth of online sales of goods according to a study by IMRG Capgemini.

Sky News reports that the firm’s e-Retail Sales Index show that in the last week of October – when strike action was at its largest – online sales dropped by 5%, leading to a £53million fall in sales.

The IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index showed British shoppers spent £4.2 billion online in October, an increase of almost 12% on the same month last year.

Consumer confidence in Royal Mail’s ability to deliver goods bought online was a major factor in October’s e-retail sales values and volumes decline but with the threat of further industrial action averted in the run-up to Christmas, it is hoped that shoppers’ doubts and concerns can be alleviated.

Mike Petevinos of Capgemini said: “E-retailers must ensure they heed the October warning signs and act to reassure consumers that orders will be delivered in time for Christmas.

“With consumer confidence restored, e-retailers can get on with the real challenge of convincing consumers to spend online and resist the temptation to wait even longer for last minute discounting on the high street.”

Tags: consumer, online shopping, retail, royal mail, shopping

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25th
SEP

Bricks n’ Mortar Retails Finally Discover Online Retail

Posted by James | Filed under news

More and more high street retailers are making the move into ecommerce. Recently H&M announced that it would be moving into the world of online from Autumn of 2010.

The move to venture into ecommerce was revealed in its nine month trading report. While overall sales are positive for H&M (up 18%), the company must be worried about other problems having held off the online route for so long.

Also joining the ecommerce bandwagon are high street retailers Zara. Online sales are expected to being in Autumn of 2010 and will initially be rolled out in Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, Germany and France. Other markets are due to follow although no mention has yet been made of which countries this will focus on.

Trading is also up for Zara and no indication has been made as to why they are choosing to venture online now.

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3rd
AUG

Woolworths’ new boss is out already

Posted by Andrew | Filed under news

There are rumours of financial trouble at the newly revived Woolies after the sudden departure of David Inglies from Worthworths Online.

Although the old high street Worthworths went into administration and later closed the company Shop Direct stepped into buy the old domain name and use the brand online.

Google Insights for Search shows that brand searches dived sharply after a record breaking Christmas, peaked a little in June but have started to fall off again. Also, perhaps alarmingly for Woolies, the Isle of Man seems to be nearly twice as interested in the brand search than England.

woolies

Shop Direct has said trading at the newly launched online store was in line with expectations. They single out their children’s clothes brand Ladybird as a particular success. Shop Direct also owns Kays, Great Universal, Empire Stores and Additions. The group’s combined turnover is about one and a half billion pounds.

Tags: shop direct, woolworths

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