Monthly Archives: June 2013

Sun shines for Douglas Stafford sailing day

 

Guests enjoy day on board Douglas Stafford yacht Lady Diane

 

A corporate sailing day was held in glorious sunshine on board the Douglas Stafford company yacht, Lady Diane, yesterday (Thursday).

Sun shines for Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping sailing day

 

Douglas Stafford Client Relations Director, Jason Jeggo and Head of Communications, Jamie White were joined by two guests who enjoyed a day sailing on the luxury 40ft Beneteau boat.

 

The group set sail from Haslar Marina, Gosport and headed out into The Solent, before returning for a spot of leisurely lunch in the marina.

 

 

During the afternoon sailing session, the guests had a turn at the helm and got involved in hauling the sails – but still had plenty of time to sit back and relax on deck.

 

Sun shines for Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping sailing day

Jason said: “It was a wonderful day and the weather was perfect. Our guests have already been back in contact with us to let us know how much they enjoyed the day.”

 

Mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford, offers a number of team building and reward recognition programmes as well as corporate entertainment.

 


These initiative programmes are conducted on Lady Diane, which is managed by a yacht charter company and uses a professionally qualified skipper.

 

Sun shines for Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping sailing day - Client Relations Director Jason Jeggo

 

 
For your chance to win a sailing day for you and members of your team, simply follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford, on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

 

Volunteers gear up for Silverstone British Grand Prix

 

Over 1,000 volunteers will help make sure the Silverstone British Grand Prix runs smoothly

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

 

This weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone will be made possible by a dedicated army of 1,166 trained volunteers, performing a range of key roles that are vital to the safe and fair running of the event.

 

A team of marshals will be stationed across the Silverstone venue, keeping spectators from harm and ensuring that drivers receive appropriate signals relating to safety and fair play. Should there be an incident on-track, rescue personnel will be on hand to recover any stranded cars and drivers. Any injuries will be dealt with by the medical team.

Silverstone British Grand Prix Volunteers - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Meanwhile stewards will be tasked with upholding the event regulations and dealing with any transgressions, and scrutineers will check that the cars comply with the technical rules.

 

In total, there will be 372 spectator marshals, 276 course/incident marshals, 52 snatch/breakdown, 90 flag marshals, 19 rescue personnel, 18 paddock marshals, 96 medical personnel, 33 incident officers, 50 observers, 46 pit/start-line marshals, 49 scrutineers and scrutineer marshals, 39 senior marshals, 20 other volunteer assistants, five support race stewards and one F1 steward.

 

Nick Bunting, Motor Sports Association (MSA) Chief Executive, said: “The British Grand Prix is the most high profile and publicly visible motor sport event in the UK, yet many will be unaware that it is underpinned by over 1,000 volunteers who are essential to its safe and effective running. These men and women are part of a much larger volunteer army in UK motor sport, totalling around 10,000 marshals and officials.

 

“Volunteering in motor sport offers fans a chance to get closer to the action, meet like-minded people and develop new skills. Anyone interested in getting involved should head back to Silverstone on Sunday, July 7 for Go Motorsport Live!, where more than 50 exhibitors, including marshalling clubs, will be on hand to get them started. And if you can’t make it on the day, simply head to www.GoMotorsport.net to find out everything you need to know.”

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

 

Record numbers of shops launch summer sales early

 

High Street stores have launched their summer sales early

 

By Hannah Cook

 

More than 75 per cent of high street stores have already launched their summer sales, with discounts averaging half-price.

 

Experts have put the sales launch down to the wet and cold spring weather and the increasing number of people already placing orders online.

Sales start early - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

Christine Cross, PwC chief retail adviser, has said clothing stores were among those suffering the most.

 

“Online is impacting our seasonal buying cycles. Autumn lines have been previewed since early May and the ability to reserve ahead is commonplace. So, for the British fashion buyer there are two options – buy ahead and get your pick of the trends, or wait and get a bargain.”

 

PwC checked 100 high street retailers and found 75 per cent were either on sale or advertising promotions such as 3-for-2 in their shop window. This compares with 60 per cent back in 2010.

 

Douglas Stafford works with many High Street companies, providing bespoke mystery shopping programmes, including video mystery shopping.

 

Mystery shopping with Douglas Stafford is a proven way of improving customer service and increasing sales.

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

 

 

Mercedes-Benz and Parcelforce mark longest day

 

Mercedes-Benz vans covered almost 140,000 miles on the longest day of the year

 

By Hannah Cook

 

 

The longest day of the year was especially long for Parcelforce Worldwide and its fleet of Mercedes-Benz vans.

 

To mark the day, which fell on June 21, the fleet of vans covered a staggering combined total of 139,500 miles.

Mercedes-Benz and Parcelforce mark longest day of the year - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Nearly 17 hours of daylight were recorded in the British Isles and yet, as with every day the Parcelforce Worldwide fleet is operating, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinters didn’t stop moving.

 

Operating from 53 depots and working to tight deadlines, making frequently urgent deliveries to every corner of the UK, the Mercedes-Benz vans are heavily relied on. Even routine servicing takes place at night to allow the Sprinter to keep moving during daylight hours.

 

Making this possible is the option of 24 hour servicing – available to any Mercedes-Benz van operator – allowing customers to simply drop their vehicle off at their local participating Mercedes-Benz Retailer in the evening. The van is then ready to be collected early the following morning having been serviced and cleaned, ensuring the vehicle stays on the road.

 

The Parcelforce Worldwide fleet covered an average of 11,625 miles every hour on June 21 during a 6am-6pmshift.

Mercedes-Benz and Parcelforce mark longest day of the year - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

During the development process of the new Sprinter, due in the UK in September, prototypes covered over five million miles ensuring not only mechanical durability but that the driver was comfortable, the controls are robust and intuitive and the load space can be efficiently accessed.

 

Providing an extra challenge is the guarantee made by Parcelforce Worldwide of express delivery to all 29 million addresses in the UK, meaning the Sprinter fleet is subjected to often tough road conditions and ever tougher weather. But through the combination of extensive testing and the 24 hour support of a dedicated retailer network, the Sprinter can cope – ensuring June 21 is not the only long day of the year.

 

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

 

 

Porsche collection at Beaulieu

Porsche cars of all ages were on display at Beaulieu’s National Motor Museum

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

More than 150 examples of the Porsche marque, spanning a range of models and years, headed to Beaulieu for the first Simply Porsche event, held in the grounds of the National Motor Museum.

 

Porsche collection at Beaulieu - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

All the main Porsche models were on show, with the 924 Owners Club and Porsche Club GB well represented by their members. Porsche Bournemouth showcased a selection of their new models and Canford Classics displayed a number of classics.

 

In the Display Marquee, the South Hants Model Auto Club put on a display of Porsche marque model cars, while a selection of the best vehicles were chosen to take part in a cavalcade around the parkland, showing off some of the finest examples of the marque.

 

Porsche collection at Beaulieu - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Throughout the day, Beaulieu’s visitors had an opportunity to vote for their favourite Porsche vehicles in the People’s Choice Awards.

 

The overall winner was Steve Burgess from Chippenham, Wiltshire in a Porsche 911 997 GT3 RS 4.0. His model was the last Special Edition 997, with just 600 manufactured and available in only two shades – black and white. Steve, a lifelong fan of the marque, has owned his Porsche for 12 months and is a member of Porsche Club GB with whom he has already attended a number of rallies and meets.

 

Simply Porsche is one of the latest additions to Beaulieu’s calendar of Simply events, which has expanded to include a wide variety of themes covering a range of makes and models.

 

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

Phones 4u named as Best High Street Retailer at awards

 

Phones 4u has won the Best High Street Retailer at the Mobile Industry Awards

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

Phones 4u is celebrating after being named as Best High Street Retailer at the annual Mobile Industry Awards – for a second consecutive year.

 

The Mobile Industry Awards 2013 recognised Phones 4u as being the best in its field, putting it ahead of retailer and network finalists Carphone Warehouse, Three and Vodafone.

 

Phones 4U named as Best High Street Retailer - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

The ability to innovate in a challenging high street market was seen as one of the main reasons why Phones 4u stood out to the judges.

 

They praised Phones 4u for its continued investment in its retail estate and its people, innovative products, excellent customer service, and well-targeted marketing.

 

Phones 4u delivered record revenue growth in 2012, whilst at the same time growing its retail footprint by a further 100 stores, showing its passion and determination to provide the best mobile shopping experience on the high street.

Phones 4U named as Best High Street Retailer - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Phones 4u has spent the last 12 months delivering great service and a host of new products, including its own MVNO, LIFE Mobile, and its unique instant replacement mobile phone service, Phones 4u Care. In 2012 the high street retailer also worked hard for its customers to secure them its highest number of exclusive devices to date.

 

Ensuring it has the best people and the best operating model in the industry ensures it continually delivers exceptional service in its stores.

 

2013 brings even more opportunities for Phones 4u, and it will be working hard to build ever-stronger relationships with its customers.

 

Mystery shopping and performance company, Douglas Stafford, provides Phones 4u with a bespoke and tailored mystery shopping programme to help analyse, evaluate and improve levels of customer service.

 

Douglas Stafford would like to congratulate Phones 4U on winning the award.

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

 

 

Royal Baby fever to boost economy as shoppers seek baby gifts

 

Experts predict the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s baby will boost the economy

 

By Hannah Cook

 

 

Analysts estimate that the birth of the Royal Baby could boost the economy by £240 million.

 

The Royal Family has joined retailers in offering baby products to mark the new arrival, including a baby sleep suit modeled on a guardsman’s outfit which uses all profits for the upkeep of the royal palaces.

Royal baby to boost UK economy - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Prince Charles is also selling handmade baby shoes through a shop on his country estate Highgrove, while the Duchess of Cambridge’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, have added a range of baby goods to their party goods business.

 

The birth of the Royal Baby, who will be third in line to the throne after Prince Charles and Prince William, is the latest in a run of royal and sporting events including the Queens Jubilee, the Olympics and the Wedding of William and Kate.

 

The ‘Kate-effect’ is already well known as sales of anything the duchess wears or uses soars. A Dalmatian coat she wore last week to launch of a new cruise ship sold out within an hour.

 

Douglas Stafford, provides a range of bespoke mystery shopping and customer service improvement programmes to a range of companies in the retail industry and High Street stores.

 

Video mystery shopping with Douglas Stafford is a proven way of analysing and improving your levels of customer service.

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

Renault reveals details for new Scenic range

 

Prices and specification for the new Renault Scenic range have been announced

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

 

Renault has confirmed UK pricing and specification for its facelift Scenic range, including the new Scenic XMOD.

 

Prices will start from just £17,955, with XMOD priced at the same as the equivalent standard Scenic, with its enhanced looks and higher equipment level.

Renault Grand Scenic - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

After selling more than 4.3 million Scenics since its original launch in 1996, the third-generation continues to be seen by many as the benchmark MPV. For 2013, rather than leaving the Dacia Duster to steal all of the SUV limelight, Renault is tapping into the trend for off-road-look inspired cars.

 

Together with the updated five-seat Scenic and seven-seater Grand Scenic, which each now feature the company’s new design identity, Renault is looking to cover every base in the hotly contested C-segment.

 

In terms of looks, most of the changes to the Scenic range has centred around freshening up its face. The iconic Renault logo at the front is now bigger and set against a gloss black background that emphasises the new grille.

 

The new crossover-inspired version Scenic XMOD is the first vehicle in the Renault range to feature the all-new Grip Xtend system. Using a rotary switch, drivers can select this advanced traction control system to enable the car to grip the road confidently in difficult driving conditions (mud, sand and fresh snow) to combat the topsy-turvy British weather.

Renault New Scenic XMOD - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

The Scenic XMOD, starting from £17,955, comes in two well-equipped trim levels, Expression+ and Dynamique TomTom.

 

The new Scenic range features a range of four Renault ENERGY engines, designed to significantly reduce fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and running costs, while maximising driving enjoyment and reliability.

 

Especially noteworthy is the brand-new TCe 130 Stop & Start engine, boasting a 15 per cent improvement on fuel consumption over the previous TCe 130 unit.

 

The revised Scenic and Grand Scenics in Dynamique TomTom trim, start from £19,155 and £20,355 respectively.

 

Mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford, has been working with Renault UK for 11 years, providing a range of bespoke mystery shopping and customer service improvement programmes, including video mystery shopping.

 

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

 

 

New Triumph bike for Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping Account Manager

 

Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping Account Manager Rohan Tailor takes delivery of Triumph

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

Douglas Stafford Account Manager Rohan Tailor has taken delivery of a stunning new Triumph Daytona motorcycle.

 

Rohan, who has worked at the mystery shopping and performance company for nine years, purchased his new bike from the Destination Triumph Washington dealership in West Sussex.

New Triumph bike for Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping Account Manager

 

General Manager of Destination Triumph Washington, Pete Dunning, said: “The new Triumph Daytona bike is slightly narrower and more streamlined.

 

“It’s a very attractive bike and has been proving very popular since its release this year. It’s also being doing very well in the British Supersport Championships.

 

“I am delighted Rohan is enjoying the new bike – he’s another happy customer!”

 

Rohan, who has been riding motorcycles for five years, said: “I am really pleased with the new bike. The Arrow exhaust sounds absolutely fantastic and the quick-shifter is definitely a lot of fun.

 

“I’d like to extend my thanks to Triumph Motorcycles and in particular, Gavin Greathead at Washington. They have all been very helpful in finding me the right bike that I can enjoy this summer. I’m also looking forward to using it for my trip to Germany later this year.”

 

Mystery shopping and performance improvement company Douglas Stafford, works with Triumph on a bespoke range of mystery shopping programmes, including video mystery shopping.

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

Douglas Stafford Chief Executive joins Harley Davidson fans in Rome for bike blessing by The Pope

 

Douglas Stafford Chief Executive and Client Relations Manager joined thousands of Harley Davidson riders in Rome

 

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

 

The Chief Executive of mystery shopping and performance company, Douglas Stafford, was one of scores of Harley Davidson riders who had their bikes blessed by The Pope at a prestigious event in The Vatican City.

 

Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping Chief Executive, Nigel Cook and Client Relations Manager, Madelaine Cook, joined Harley Davidson fans in Rome for bike blessing by The Pope

Nigel Cook joined tens of thousands of Harley owners from around the world who descended on Rome to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the American manufacturer.

 

Pope Francis greeted the crowd before mass and was driven through the crowd up the main boulevard leading to St. Peter’s Square. As he was driven through, he blessed the thousands of bikes, as the thundering sounds of Harley engines echoed all around.

 

Mr Cook, who founded mystery shopping company, Douglas Stafford in 1989, travelled across Europe to the event, which attracted worldwide news coverage, with his daughter and Client Relations Manager, Madelaine Cook.

 

Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping Chief Executive, Nigel Cook and Client Relations Manager, Madelaine Cook, joined Harley Davidson fans in Rome for bike blessing by The Pope

The pair managed to take photographs of Pope Francis as he made his way through the Harley Davidson fans.

 

Once the full service got under way, bikers of all backgrounds and religions, sat in the square in their trademark Harley shirts and jackets alongside nuns and thousands of faithful Catholics taking part in an unrelated, two-day rally.

 

Pope Francis addressed both groups, before giving a final blessing to the participants of the Harley gathering.

 

Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping Chief Executive, Nigel Cook and Client Relations Manager, Madelaine Cook, joined Harley Davidson fans in Rome for bike blessing by The Pope

Harley Davidson representatives also presented Pope Francis with two classic white Harley Davidson motorcycles and a jacket.

 

Douglas Stafford is the UK’s leading automotive video mystery shopping company, and has been providing a bespoke range of mystery shopping and customer service improvement programmes for global car and motorcycle manufacturers and dealerships, for 24 years.

 

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk