Argos is one example, reporting growth in use of its Check and Reserve service around the time of the strikes, and providing an example for other multichannel retailers of how to minimise the disruption caused by postal strikes.
In the last week of October, the volume of customers using Check and Reserve was up by 100% year on year. Now, the service has been growing anyway, as we reported earlier in the year, but the strikes have clearly had an effect.
Argos has seen growth in Check and Reserve orders over the past six months or so anyway, but this growth was at around 50%, so the effects of the strike on orders are clear to see.
Some Check and Reserve categories grew more than others; orders of small consumer electricals like iPods doubled during the last week of the Royal Mail strikes compared with earlier in the month, there were four times as many laptop reservations, while DAB radio orders grew 140% year on year.
As it happens, Argos wasn't as inconvenienced as some other retailers by the strikes, as it has an in-house delivery network, and only relies on Royal Mail for around 1% of deliveries.
Still, customer concerns about delivery resulting from the news coverage seems to have affected online retailers, whether they used a courier or not. Argos, like others, chose to add clear messages to the site to reassure customers about delivery, and also pointed customers towards the multichannel option.
Check & Reserve is the biggest multichannel growth area for Argos, and seems to be paying off, something other multichannel retailers should take note of.
Thursday, 3 December 2009
Sunday, 13 September 2009
argos Catalogue end of summer sale!! Save upto 1/2 on selected sports equipment at Argos
This offer runs until the 23rd September and includes some great offers including The Reebok Fusion Rower at £99.99 (Less than ½ Price) and other deals across treadmills, cycles and cross trainers. also some great end of season deals from the garden range , summer is coming to an end so lots going for Half price from the argos catalogue
Monday, 23 February 2009
argos new spring deals
Argos Home Spring Furniture Discount Event
Wednesday, February 18th, 2009Argos catalogue have just launched their Spring Home Event. They have fantastic new catalogue which shows their fantastic range of furniture and soft furnishings. The great news is that across the catalogue there are over 500 savings and great looking furniture from as little as £5.
Top Deals include
Buy One Get One Free on selected sofas
Save up to 1/2 price on sofas
Glass tables from £199.95
Save up to 1/3 on oak ready assembled furniture
Plus loads of other great discounts and savings. Check out VoucherCodes.com for the latest Argos Voucher Coupon Promotional Discount Codes.
Enjoy the savings
Thursday, 12 February 2009
Tesco Voucher Codes
Tesco Voucher Codes - Get your discounts
Discount vouchers for Tesco direct are being made available more frequently but the voucher codes seem to be going out of date a little quicker than normal.What can you do to ensure you get to use a Tesco voucher code when you do a shop at Tesco?
1) Keep checking Tesco Voucher Codes, the most up to date place to find clubcard codes, tesco direct vouchers, tesco wine codes, tesco book codes, tesco entertainment vouchers, tesco evouchers and more.
2) Add Tesco Voucher Codes blog to your RSS Reader. Get notified as soon as the codes are updated. Simply go to the top of the page and click "Subscribe in Reader"
3) Set up a regular shopping list at Tesco.com. If you have a number of products you buy each week or month create a list and then just add any extra products you require.
Tesco Voucher Codes for January, February and March 2009 are now available!
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
Argos home delivery
I have never used Argos before for home delivery but needed to get an Xmas pressie for my mum and only they had in stock so I ordered it.
I still can't get over what has happened, and just have to share my experience with someone! lol
In the middle of November I placed my order, it came on time but the seal was broken and I had to ring them up and request someone come and take it back, they said they were out of stock so they couldn't replace it but would ring me when they got a new delivery and send one out, apparently it would be about 7-10days... no problem I thought.
A while later I decided to go on their website and register my email address to be notified when it came back in stock as I didn't suppose they would bother calling me.
Next week I get an e-mail the item is back in stock as the woman advised it probably would be... no phone call. So I called them again and a man advised me that he would arrange for another to be sent out and as I had already paid there would be no further charge.
It turned up on time, very impressed but still no phone call from the original woman but I wasn't worried as I had what I wanted.
I since wrapped the present and it's been sitting under the tree for ages.. yesterday I get a voicemail from the woman from Argos (5 weeks later) apologising that they have not had any more stock in since I made my inital call (Erm, well considering I got an email and phoned up and had it redelivered... thats a lie!) that they would have to cancel my order but would issue me a full refund.
So I rang up again and gave the nice man my order number and asked him the status of my order, he also said we need to issue you a refund as we haven't been able to supply your order
Anyway, although I did considered keeping schtum I knew the guilt would consume me
I still can't get over what has happened, and just have to share my experience with someone! lol
In the middle of November I placed my order, it came on time but the seal was broken and I had to ring them up and request someone come and take it back, they said they were out of stock so they couldn't replace it but would ring me when they got a new delivery and send one out, apparently it would be about 7-10days... no problem I thought.
A while later I decided to go on their website and register my email address to be notified when it came back in stock as I didn't suppose they would bother calling me.
Next week I get an e-mail the item is back in stock as the woman advised it probably would be... no phone call. So I called them again and a man advised me that he would arrange for another to be sent out and as I had already paid there would be no further charge.
It turned up on time, very impressed but still no phone call from the original woman but I wasn't worried as I had what I wanted.
I since wrapped the present and it's been sitting under the tree for ages.. yesterday I get a voicemail from the woman from Argos (5 weeks later) apologising that they have not had any more stock in since I made my inital call (Erm, well considering I got an email and phoned up and had it redelivered... thats a lie!) that they would have to cancel my order but would issue me a full refund.
So I rang up again and gave the nice man my order number and asked him the status of my order, he also said we need to issue you a refund as we haven't been able to supply your order
Anyway, although I did considered keeping schtum I knew the guilt would consume me
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
saving money at argos
right, ways of saving money at argos....
1. catalogues are released in january and august, but are printed well in advance of this. by the time you get hold of a book, it could be several months out of date (even if it is the 'current' book)- as could the price you see listed. prices are constantly being reviewed and lowered across the whole range of products, so check online at argos for the current selling price.
2. in addition to the main catalogue, argos also produce sales flyers (in the form of leaflets, brochures, mini catalogues etc), and these are normally renewed every month or so - you will find them in special units in every store. these are first and foremost SEASONAL based sales - ie toys at christmas, jewellery at valentines, home starter kits when us young 'uns are going back to uni. if you are buying an item which would classify as "seasonal", try and plan your purchases around the times of year when offers are likely to take place.
HOWEVER...dont forget that these sales flyers also contain general products. so if you are, for example, after a new kettle, look in the sales flyer first to see what is on offer that particular month. you may be able to live with that one rather than the more expensive one you initially had your eye on in the main catalogue.
3. as i have said, because catalogues are printed so far in advance, things will change, including the adding of new lines or packages. obviously its not possible for us to contact every customer with the new info, so extra pages are added to the catalogues in store to convey this new/updated info. so point 3 is to always check the in-store catalogue before going to the tills to make sure you are getting the best deal.
4. before you get to the tills, have a good look at the displays and sales opportunity baskets that surround the tills. these are there for the same reason they put chocolate by the tills in shops - to tempt you. but it is also where some of the better reductions on cheapish (ie less than £30) items are promoted.
5. be beady-eyed whilst looking at displays on shop floor - especially if it is an item you are going to buy. given the nature of how argos organise their displays, it is possible for incorrect tickets to be left out. in my exeprince, argos are very good at honouring the mistake if you bring it to their attention(in store anyway, no 49p tvs though sadly).
6. if you are buying an item that has been used as part of a display, you can ask for a discount. this is granted because of damage to the item, but given at managers discression. so the nicer you ask, the better your luck!
7. when you get to the till, make the most of your cashier. if you get one with half a brain, they should be able to tell you whats been selling well (indicative of a good offer), make you aware of deals (ie bogofs) and so on. if you are not happy with your dopey or less than helpful cashier, dont be scared to walk away from the tills and try customer services or another cashier elsewhere in the store.
NEVER USE THE QUICKPAY KIOSKS. ASIDE FROM THE FACT THAT THEY NEVER WORK HALF THE TIME, THEY ARE NOT VERY EFFECTIVE AT HIGHLIGHTING THE CURRENT OFFERS, OR LINKED ITEMS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST TO YOU. SPEAK TO A REAL PERSON EVERY TIME.
8. at the till you will probably be asked if you are interested in an argos store card. do not apply for this for the sake ofd getting credit, as it has an appaling % rate. However, if you are sensible with your money, it does offer several perks:
3 months buy now pay later (BNPL) on all orders over £95
6 months buy now pay later on spends over £195
12 months buy now pay later on larger spend on specific items noted in the catalogue
and 12-24 months interest free credit on certain expensive items (these will be marked in the catalogue)
they also send out regular money off coupons in the post (ie £x off when you spend £y on your argos card, or save £z when you spend this much on *insert product here - ie storage (restricted to a certain range of catalogue numbers)*. offer coupons have in the past also included free delivery.
9. dont forget you can redeem (but not earn) nectar points at argos (although i dont think this is the best way to get the most value from them). you can also use a whole range of vouchers, including bonus bonds, high st vouchers, choice vouchers, provident vouchers and so on.
10. keep an eye out in the papers (local and national) for the occasional coupons that appear. in particular, if there is a new store opening in your area, you can pretty much guarantee a "£5/ 10% off when you spend £x at our new store" coupon.
11. argos also run a £5 off £50 spend/ £10 off 100 spend promotion, usually to coincide with the school holidays. its a getting people through the door gimmick...and it works. it is only one voucher per transaction, so if you are buying a lot of items, break your shopping down into several orders. the cashiers are not supposed to do it for you, and many will refuse to.
to bump yourself over the limit for a voucher, try filling the tick to give box on the selection form (20p goes to "the british heart foundation"), but a £1 gift card, or maybe lightbulbs/batteries - small, cheap, and always useful.
remember that the voucher will have an expiry date - dont let it run out.
and if you later return an item, which takes your total spend below the £50/£100 cap, you will be asked to return the voucher, or have its value deducted from the amount refunded to you. this is because it is a promotional gift voucher, and part of the conditions is that you had to spend £x amount to qualify for it.
12. befriend argos employess, in the hope that they will give you the 10% off for friends and family of argos coupons which appear every 3-4 months. if you ask very nicely, some people will use their staff discount to buy things for you, although be aware that the staff discount is intended for the employees' immediate family only, and it is a sackable offence for the employee to abuse the system.
if you do not have any friends that work at argos, these vouchers sometimes find their way onto ebay (but dont pay more than you would save, defeats the object), or some members of the site who moonlight as argos employees offer to send them to other site members (perhaps for the cost of an Stamped Addressed Evelope)
13. when reserving items, especially items which are both on promotion and out of stock, it is very important that you are aware of the fact that the price you pay is the price in store on the day you PAY FOR AND COLLECT the item, irrespective of what it might have been when you reserved the item. this might mean that by the time your item comes into stock, the promo may have ended and the price returned to normal. make sure you check those dates!
if you have proof tat your reservation was made while the offer was still on the manager may honour the lower price for you. this is at their discretion so ask nicely.
14. www.argos.co.uk will, on occasion, make a gesture of good will towards those customers whom we have inconvenienced. ask to speak to a manager, explain the situation, and most of all, be polite. if you are rude, they will go out of their way not to help you.
15. points earned for completing surveys for IPSOS can be converted into argos vouchers. a few minutes once or twice a week spent clicking through some surveys could earn you a fair whack of vouchers come next christmas (points can also be converted into boots and w h smiths vouchers)
16. If you are ordering items for home delivery, plan it well. there is a standard delivery charge of £5.95 to be paid per order (irrespective of how many items you order, or how many deliveries the stock comes on). so dont buy a bed on monday, only to go an order a sofa on thursday, as you will be charged £11.90 in delivery fees, when you could easily have got away with paying £5.95 if you'd planned ahead.
17. when you are next in store, pick up the insurance leaflets dotted around the tills (or see catalogue pages at the back of the book). not a lot of people know that the cover often includes accidental damage cover (jewellery and replacement product cover for items under £150 in particular). depending on the type of use the item will get, and the Ts and Cs of your household insurance, this could turn out to be a shrewd investment for you.
the cost of the cover is worked out by price bands. this means that if you but a £50 item reduced to £25, you pay the price for insuring a £25 item. however, if the item does die on you, in the event of a refund/exchange, you are only covered to the value you paid, not the rrp of the item.
DO check the small print before you pay out large amounts. whilst claiming against manufacturing defects or accidental damage is relatively trouble free, claiming on the grounds of theft will require a crime number and so on.
19. use the saynoto0870 website to find geographical numbers numbers for your local store. if you have a problem with your argos card/argos direct, go to customer services in store and act a bit thick. you can often get the cashier to phone up on your behalf, with argos footing the cost of the call.
20. and finally - shop around. whilst it has its perks, argos often fails to compete with other high st/online retailers in terms of price. use a shop bot like kelkoo to make an informed purchase.
hope this has helped people, i will no doubt update as i think of more
1. catalogues are released in january and august, but are printed well in advance of this. by the time you get hold of a book, it could be several months out of date (even if it is the 'current' book)- as could the price you see listed. prices are constantly being reviewed and lowered across the whole range of products, so check online at argos for the current selling price.
2. in addition to the main catalogue, argos also produce sales flyers (in the form of leaflets, brochures, mini catalogues etc), and these are normally renewed every month or so - you will find them in special units in every store. these are first and foremost SEASONAL based sales - ie toys at christmas, jewellery at valentines, home starter kits when us young 'uns are going back to uni. if you are buying an item which would classify as "seasonal", try and plan your purchases around the times of year when offers are likely to take place.
HOWEVER...dont forget that these sales flyers also contain general products. so if you are, for example, after a new kettle, look in the sales flyer first to see what is on offer that particular month. you may be able to live with that one rather than the more expensive one you initially had your eye on in the main catalogue.
3. as i have said, because catalogues are printed so far in advance, things will change, including the adding of new lines or packages. obviously its not possible for us to contact every customer with the new info, so extra pages are added to the catalogues in store to convey this new/updated info. so point 3 is to always check the in-store catalogue before going to the tills to make sure you are getting the best deal.
4. before you get to the tills, have a good look at the displays and sales opportunity baskets that surround the tills. these are there for the same reason they put chocolate by the tills in shops - to tempt you. but it is also where some of the better reductions on cheapish (ie less than £30) items are promoted.
5. be beady-eyed whilst looking at displays on shop floor - especially if it is an item you are going to buy. given the nature of how argos organise their displays, it is possible for incorrect tickets to be left out. in my exeprince, argos are very good at honouring the mistake if you bring it to their attention(in store anyway, no 49p tvs though sadly).
6. if you are buying an item that has been used as part of a display, you can ask for a discount. this is granted because of damage to the item, but given at managers discression. so the nicer you ask, the better your luck!
7. when you get to the till, make the most of your cashier. if you get one with half a brain, they should be able to tell you whats been selling well (indicative of a good offer), make you aware of deals (ie bogofs) and so on. if you are not happy with your dopey or less than helpful cashier, dont be scared to walk away from the tills and try customer services or another cashier elsewhere in the store.
NEVER USE THE QUICKPAY KIOSKS. ASIDE FROM THE FACT THAT THEY NEVER WORK HALF THE TIME, THEY ARE NOT VERY EFFECTIVE AT HIGHLIGHTING THE CURRENT OFFERS, OR LINKED ITEMS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST TO YOU. SPEAK TO A REAL PERSON EVERY TIME.
8. at the till you will probably be asked if you are interested in an argos store card. do not apply for this for the sake ofd getting credit, as it has an appaling % rate. However, if you are sensible with your money, it does offer several perks:
3 months buy now pay later (BNPL) on all orders over £95
6 months buy now pay later on spends over £195
12 months buy now pay later on larger spend on specific items noted in the catalogue
and 12-24 months interest free credit on certain expensive items (these will be marked in the catalogue)
they also send out regular money off coupons in the post (ie £x off when you spend £y on your argos card, or save £z when you spend this much on *insert product here - ie storage (restricted to a certain range of catalogue numbers)*. offer coupons have in the past also included free delivery.
9. dont forget you can redeem (but not earn) nectar points at argos (although i dont think this is the best way to get the most value from them). you can also use a whole range of vouchers, including bonus bonds, high st vouchers, choice vouchers, provident vouchers and so on.
10. keep an eye out in the papers (local and national) for the occasional coupons that appear. in particular, if there is a new store opening in your area, you can pretty much guarantee a "£5/ 10% off when you spend £x at our new store" coupon.
11. argos also run a £5 off £50 spend/ £10 off 100 spend promotion, usually to coincide with the school holidays. its a getting people through the door gimmick...and it works. it is only one voucher per transaction, so if you are buying a lot of items, break your shopping down into several orders. the cashiers are not supposed to do it for you, and many will refuse to.
to bump yourself over the limit for a voucher, try filling the tick to give box on the selection form (20p goes to "the british heart foundation"), but a £1 gift card, or maybe lightbulbs/batteries - small, cheap, and always useful.
remember that the voucher will have an expiry date - dont let it run out.
and if you later return an item, which takes your total spend below the £50/£100 cap, you will be asked to return the voucher, or have its value deducted from the amount refunded to you. this is because it is a promotional gift voucher, and part of the conditions is that you had to spend £x amount to qualify for it.
12. befriend argos employess, in the hope that they will give you the 10% off for friends and family of argos coupons which appear every 3-4 months. if you ask very nicely, some people will use their staff discount to buy things for you, although be aware that the staff discount is intended for the employees' immediate family only, and it is a sackable offence for the employee to abuse the system.
if you do not have any friends that work at argos, these vouchers sometimes find their way onto ebay (but dont pay more than you would save, defeats the object), or some members of the site who moonlight as argos employees offer to send them to other site members (perhaps for the cost of an Stamped Addressed Evelope)
13. when reserving items, especially items which are both on promotion and out of stock, it is very important that you are aware of the fact that the price you pay is the price in store on the day you PAY FOR AND COLLECT the item, irrespective of what it might have been when you reserved the item. this might mean that by the time your item comes into stock, the promo may have ended and the price returned to normal. make sure you check those dates!
if you have proof tat your reservation was made while the offer was still on the manager may honour the lower price for you. this is at their discretion so ask nicely.
14. www.argos.co.uk will, on occasion, make a gesture of good will towards those customers whom we have inconvenienced. ask to speak to a manager, explain the situation, and most of all, be polite. if you are rude, they will go out of their way not to help you.
15. points earned for completing surveys for IPSOS can be converted into argos vouchers. a few minutes once or twice a week spent clicking through some surveys could earn you a fair whack of vouchers come next christmas (points can also be converted into boots and w h smiths vouchers)
16. If you are ordering items for home delivery, plan it well. there is a standard delivery charge of £5.95 to be paid per order (irrespective of how many items you order, or how many deliveries the stock comes on). so dont buy a bed on monday, only to go an order a sofa on thursday, as you will be charged £11.90 in delivery fees, when you could easily have got away with paying £5.95 if you'd planned ahead.
17. when you are next in store, pick up the insurance leaflets dotted around the tills (or see catalogue pages at the back of the book). not a lot of people know that the cover often includes accidental damage cover (jewellery and replacement product cover for items under £150 in particular). depending on the type of use the item will get, and the Ts and Cs of your household insurance, this could turn out to be a shrewd investment for you.
the cost of the cover is worked out by price bands. this means that if you but a £50 item reduced to £25, you pay the price for insuring a £25 item. however, if the item does die on you, in the event of a refund/exchange, you are only covered to the value you paid, not the rrp of the item.
DO check the small print before you pay out large amounts. whilst claiming against manufacturing defects or accidental damage is relatively trouble free, claiming on the grounds of theft will require a crime number and so on.
19. use the saynoto0870 website to find geographical numbers numbers for your local store. if you have a problem with your argos card/argos direct, go to customer services in store and act a bit thick. you can often get the cashier to phone up on your behalf, with argos footing the cost of the call.
20. and finally - shop around. whilst it has its perks, argos often fails to compete with other high st/online retailers in terms of price. use a shop bot like kelkoo to make an informed purchase.
hope this has helped people, i will no doubt update as i think of more
Monday, 5 January 2009
Argos bargains
I've just got back from Chorley Argos after getting Donky Kong Jungle Climb (at full price) with the 100 Classic Novels for the DS.
They have an offer (displays instore as well) of the Classic Novels being £9.78 instead of £19.56 if you buy ANY DS game.
However their tills have not made the change so I was charged the full £19.56, I didn't notice at first so had to go to customer services to get it refunded & pay again.
Basically if anyone else is after this offer make sure that check the Classic Books is at £9.78.
add any combination of two to your basket and the second registers at 2p
Also wii games going cheap
Carnival Games - Wii.
568/7428 1
£9.78
Crazy Golf - Wii.
568/8898 1
£0.02
or
table tennis 568/7411 0.02
They have an offer (displays instore as well) of the Classic Novels being £9.78 instead of £19.56 if you buy ANY DS game.
However their tills have not made the change so I was charged the full £19.56, I didn't notice at first so had to go to customer services to get it refunded & pay again.
Basically if anyone else is after this offer make sure that check the Classic Books is at £9.78.
add any combination of two to your basket and the second registers at 2p
Also wii games going cheap
Carnival Games - Wii.
568/7428 1
£9.78
Crazy Golf - Wii.
568/8898 1
£0.02
or
table tennis 568/7411 0.02
Sunday, 4 January 2009
I am sure there is no one here who would not know what Amazon.co.uk is, but, on the off chance...
----------------------------
-------------------------
--------------
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Amazon.co.uk is a website that started originally as an online book store. Now over the years it has grown and developed to sell a whole range of items. Including, Electrics, DVD's, CD's, Appliances, Toys, Games and many more.
Layout and Navigation----------------------------
Amazon.co .uk has an orange/blue and white theme throughout; it's clear and well laid out. There is a search bar at the top of the page to type in what it is you're looking for. You can narrow this down by category.
One feature I really like about Amazon is the suggestions that appear on screen, you can see what other people who brought the product you are viewing also looked at, so if you have similar tastes, might show you a great product to go with what you are looking at.I also like the fact that the prices are clearly shown, along with the options for purchasing new or used items, and how the prices change.
The items you view are displayed with a large picture, so you can assure you are viewing the correct item you intend to buy.Sign Up and Account
--------------------------
The process is quick and simple, the usual type of form with a user name, email address and password being required.
The account feature if extremely handy, as you can track any outstanding orders, see previous orders, amend your personal details as well as change payment details and get details on returning items etc.Prices and Purchasing
----------------------------
I always look through this part as usually you can find the same item in new condition for cheaper. One thing to be aware of with this is that some sellers will be overseas in USA of example, so postage and the time allowed for delivery will be higher.
Once you have selected your item and price, the usual online shopping process begins. You can add the item to your basket and continue browsing. In your basket you can review the items and delete or amend quantities.The checkout process will need an invoice address (usually where the card you are paying with is registered) and a delivery address. You can add multiple delivery addresses as well as multiple payment details to your account. At first I was a bit sceptical at having my card details saved on the website, but have never had any problems, and it really does speed up the payment process not having to input it all every time.
Delivery and Quality-------------------------
You can select when checking out, any preferences on delivery. You can go for the super saver delivery which, as long as you've spent over a fiver, is free but takes longer or you can select special delivery, or the standard delivery.
Once an order is placed you will be sent an email confirming the order details, and also receive another email when the order is dispatched. I have never had to trace an order, as they have always arrived when specified.As for the quality, I have always received the items I purchased in the condition described and the correct item.
Other Uses--------------
Amazon has a good feature where you can leave feedback on a seller, so other potential buyers can see a rating. You can comment on whether an item was as described when received and if the process went smoothly, or if delivery was wrong or took too long etc. I like this feature, as when viewing an item, you can see this and may choose to spend a little extra on a different seller with a better overall score rating.
Now my favourite feature on Amazon is the wish list. You can look up items you would like and save them to a wish list. This list can be sent to friends and family (or girlfriends as my BF has discovered) in the hope they might buy something off it for you. Amazon has a gift wrapping service, so it's ideal for Christmas and Birthdays.My only gripe with the wish list is that once something has been brought, it shows on the list as purchased, or disappears completely. Now I know this is to stop anybody buying the same gift for someone, but it also appears to the creator. A few years back I brought my BF quite a few things off his list for Christmas, I did so quite a bit in advance, now he doesn't usually check it often, so normally wouldn't have been a problem, but he wanted to add something. Once adding another item he noticed a lot of things he had added weren't there and immediately asked if I had brought them. I of course denied it and fobbed it off as a glitch, but when the day came for him to open his presents, he'd guessed most before opening. This is maybe not the best way to go for surprises but perfect for perhaps weddings or people who like to know what they are getting. I now look at my boyfriends list, open a separate browser window and search for the item through Amazon there, so it doesn't take it straight out of his list.
Conclusion-------------
Amazon is a reliable and easy way to make purchases online. In my personal experience, they have a large selection and I have always received them as described and on time.
I've never had any problems with the site or the sellers and will continue to use it. If anyone who has never heard of, or used Amazon before is reading this, then have a look. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.Saturday, 3 January 2009
Credit crunch? Financial crisis? Don't tell Tesco - they don't know we're in the money doo-doo
Everywhere you look there are headlines about the spreading the globe. Which bank will collapse today, people are asking. Is my money safe? Should I shove it all under the mattress? Confidence has hit an all-time low and every business owner appears to be suffering.But last year, supermarket giant Tesco posted some brilliant results. In spite of the financial turmoil Tesco have seen a whopping 14% rise in sales in the last six months and an 11% increase in profits. Meanwhile other retailers are saying that trading conditions are the worst in the past 30 years.
So why is it that the banks are tumbling, that many retailers are closing their doors for the last time and every business owner you speak to is facing doom and gloom - yet, at the same time Tesco are not in a similar position?
There's one clear difference between Tesco and the banks - and this difference has an important lesson for Internet marketers and online business owners. Tesco is unshakable in its relentless focus on its customers. This is the central driver in everything they do; they do not pay as much attention to the money as they do to their customers. Yet, by ensuring that everything they do is based on customer research and shoppers' needs, they seem to get the money. Indeed, half of us shop in Tesco every week.
The banks, meanwhile, have been focusing their attention on the money; customers have taken second place. The other retailers in trouble also appear to pay less attention to the needs of their customers than Tesco does.
"It's probably the most difficult trading environment we have seen almost within living memory, certainly since the last big downturn in the early 1990s," said chief executive John Bowkett who was parachuted into the ailing electricals business from Tesco just less than a year ago.
Sales are well down and operating profits are down, but then so is virtually every retailer in the UK at the moment.
Don't listen too much to the press about the retail climate they have a habit of saying the following are all going out of business...
Sales are well down and operating profits are down, but then so is virtually every retailer in the UK at the moment.
Don't listen too much to the press about the retail climate they have a habit of saying the following are all going out of business...
who's next in the high street
I feel so sad that a wonderful chain like Woolworths will not be part of the high street in 2009. Like so many others I grew up with it, but to my shame I have not shopped there for some while, and like others I would have shopped there if we the public had been told it was in such serious trouble.
So in the last few years in our high street we have lost C & A, Littlewoods and now Woolworths. What is happening to this country that we can throw away our traditions in favour of coffee and chocolate retail outlets!
For the thousands of staff who will lose their jobs I say sorry.
Its not the best way to start the new year. Going into liquidation is not he same as closing down ! It simply means they are turning all their assets into raw cash - to make a buy-out or take-over more lucrative !
I think we'll see the Woolworths brand through into the new year and beyond - unlike 'Littlewoods' who just closed all their high-street stores in order to provide a solely mail-order business ! Littlewoods did it deliberately - Woolworths didnt have a choice ! I think that they will- they have stock and the liquidators will need to try and get some cash for this - and quickly. Lets face it - they stood more chance getting rid of stock in pre Christmas sale than they would have in January, when everyone would be struggling plus they may not be have been able to wait as long as the new year to get things sorted out. What do you know, who would have ever thought it, in receivership, who's next Mark's and Sparks!!, if they go, will Gorden Brown, dip in his magic purse. I appreciate we are all in for a hard time ahead, and that you are very concerned.End of an era indeed and very sad for 'oldies' like me . I have so many memories of learning how to spend my pocket-money pennies with a wide choice that made the experience valuable for my future as a consumer.
God bless Wollies!
So in the last few years in our high street we have lost C & A, Littlewoods and now Woolworths. What is happening to this country that we can throw away our traditions in favour of coffee and chocolate retail outlets!
For the thousands of staff who will lose their jobs I say sorry.
Its not the best way to start the new year. Going into liquidation is not he same as closing down ! It simply means they are turning all their assets into raw cash - to make a buy-out or take-over more lucrative !
I think we'll see the Woolworths brand through into the new year and beyond - unlike 'Littlewoods' who just closed all their high-street stores in order to provide a solely mail-order business ! Littlewoods did it deliberately - Woolworths didnt have a choice ! I think that they will- they have stock and the liquidators will need to try and get some cash for this - and quickly. Lets face it - they stood more chance getting rid of stock in pre Christmas sale than they would have in January, when everyone would be struggling plus they may not be have been able to wait as long as the new year to get things sorted out. What do you know, who would have ever thought it, in receivership, who's next Mark's and Sparks!!, if they go, will Gorden Brown, dip in his magic purse. I appreciate we are all in for a hard time ahead, and that you are very concerned.End of an era indeed and very sad for 'oldies' like me . I have so many memories of learning how to spend my pocket-money pennies with a wide choice that made the experience valuable for my future as a consumer.
God bless Wollies!
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