Monthly Archives: December 2013

Scotland prepares for Top Gear Live 2014

 

Top Gear Live set to rock Glasgow in January

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

With the XX Commonwealth Games taking place in Glasgow in 2014, the high-octane Top Gear Live shows set for the SSE Hydro in January will boast their very own suitably sporting theme.

Scotland prepares for Top Gear Live 2014 - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

A special 90-minute performance is being prepared not only to celebrate Top Gear Live’s first appearance in Scotland but also to whet appetites for Glasgow 2014.

 

Hosted by all three of the show’s inimitable presenters – Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May plus driving star ‘The Stig’ – the Top Gear Live arena shows will include a breathtaking cocktail of stunts, supercars, pyrotechnics and challenges.

 

While the sparkling new SSE Hydro will stage netball and gymnastics events during the Commonwealth Games, the sporting action will be somewhat more light-hearted when Top Gear Live headlines the same venue on January 18 and 19.

Scotland prepares for Top Gear Live 2014 - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

There will be chaotic chariot races powered by mopeds rather than horses as well as a madcap automotive version of curling which will see Hammond and May sliding across the arena floor at breakneck speed with little control. The boys will also be racing the stable and not at all dangerous three-wheeled Reliant Robins, plus assembling a team for a dramatic game of England v Scotland Car Football.

 

Clarkson said: “We always represent England – and we even occasionally win.  It’s all part of turning your favourite motoring show into the most spectacular motoring theatre show in the universe. We take all the best bits of Top Gear, and ambitiously attempt them live in the action arena. I’m sure it will work out well!”

 

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

 

H&M signs Amber Valletta for 2014 sustainable fashion campaign

 

 

Amber Valletta to star in new H&M fashion campaign 

 

By Hannah Cook

 

High street fashion retailer H&M has signed up supermodel Amber Valletta to star in its campaign to promote its new sustainable fashion collections – Conscious and Conscious Exclusive.

 

Making its debut in store and online in April 2014, the Conscious collection features fashion pieces made with materials such as organic cotton, Tencel, hemp and recycled materials.

H&M signs Amber Valletta for 2014 sustainable fashion campaign - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

“I’m very excited to work with the H&M Conscious campaign, because we share the same values about sustainability. This collection shows that you can be as mindful about people and the environment as fashion conscious. I simply love the designs and the fact that all the pieces are made with organic, recycled and cellulose fabrics shows that you don’t need to compromise fashion for sustainability anymore,” said Amber.

 

For this year’s Conscious Exclusive collection, H&M is working in collaboration with the sustainable fashion and design think tank Ever Manifesto to create a number of  detailed pieces which take a mix of flamenco and bohemia as their inspiration.

 

Conscious Exclusive will be available in 150 selected H&M stores worldwide, as well as online.

 

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

Hyundai supports ‘Crisis at Christmas’ charity initiative

 

 

Hyundai has supplied the Crisis charity with 15 vehicles over the festive period

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

Hyundai is supporting Crisis, the national charity for single homeless people, by supplying 15 vehicles for use by its dedicated team of volunteers in London over Christmas.

 

The charity is taking delivery of 15 vehicles (a mix of Santa Fes, i40s and i30s) as it prepares for the festive period – its busiest time of year. The cars will carry supplies and transport individual guests and volunteers around London, supporting the ‘Crisis at Christmas’ campaign which runs until December 30th.

Hyundai supports 'Crisis at Christmas' charity initiative - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Leslie Morphy, Crisis Chief Executive, said: “Homelessness can be an incredibly isolating and lonely experience, but at Christmas it can be doubly hard. While families and friends are tucking into Christmas dinner, it can be a miserable experience for the person stuck out alone in the winter cold.

 

“Crisis at Christmas is only possible due to the generosity of our volunteers and donors, such as Hyundai, who have come together to make this happen for more than four decades. With homelessness rising, their help is needed more than ever.”

 

The ‘Crisis at Christmas’ campaign will see a dedicated team of 9,000 volunteers at Crisis consulting with 4,000 homeless people over the Christmas period, helping them to take their first steps out of homelessness.

 

The charity will also provide shelter and care for 800 of those, offering medical services and emotional support.

More than 6,000 people spent some time sleeping rough in London last year, an increase of 62 per cent over the past two years.

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

 

O2 brings ‘Be More Dog’ campaign to Bluewater

 

O2’s Be More Dog campaign lands at Bluewater Shopping Centre

 

By Hannah Cook

 

O2 has taken its ‘Be More Dog’ campaign to Bluewater Shopping Centre by building a giant unwrapped Christmas present for consumers to explore.

O2 brings ‘Be More Dog’ campaign to Bluewater - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

The campaign, which promotes Priority moments, is part of a 14-month deal between Telefonica (O2) and Lendlease (Bluewater) which has seen increased activity happening at key times throughout the year. The deal includes a three-year deal to provide shoppers with free O2 Wifi.

 

The winter forest scene inside the Christmas present is home to the O2 ‘Snowball Challenge’. Once inside, Bluewater guests are tasked with using artificial snow to mould ‘real’ snowballs to complete challenges. Winners are rewarded with a Priority treat from O2.

O2 brings ‘Be More Dog’ campaign to Bluewater - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

The campaign is designed to give customers at the Kent based shopping centre a unique experience and one that represented the ‘Be More Dog’ attitude.

 

Claire Stokes, Managing Director, Circle Agency, said: “We want to capitalise on the heavy increase in footfall over the holiday period, however, it is often difficult to stand out and interrupt shoppers at this time of year. We needed to catch shoppers’ attention and the giant present has done that.”

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

Landmark year for Bentley

 

Bentley celebrates highly successful year in 2013 

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

Bentley experienced one of its best ever years in 2013, with a host of key landmarks and achievements for Bentley and its customers.

Landmark year for Bentley - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

The company confirmed it will build the world’s fastest and most luxurious SUV at its Crewe headquarters, creating a further 1,000 jobs at Bentley and its suppliers, as well as taking Bentley drivers ‘off-road’ for the first time in the marque’s history. UK Prime Minister David Cameron joined Bentley colleagues to celebrate the news and the start of an £800 million investment programme.

 

Additionally, three new Bentley models, including the acclaimed Flying Spur sedan, the Continental 4.0 litre GT V8 S and the world’s fastest four-seat production convertible, the 202 mph 6.0 litre Continental GT Speed Convertible, were launched. Meanwhile, the Continental GT3 race car spearheaded the company’s return to top-level, international motorsport.

Landmark year for Bentley - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Strong sales increases were recorded through the first three quarters of 2013 (delivering a total of 6,516 cars against 5,969 in 2012) and Bentley’s international representation was strengthened with 23 dealerships opening in locations including Bucharest, Lyon, Minsk, Vietnam and the famous Silk Road city of Urumqi.

 

Bentley further expanded its luxury goods portfolio with the introduction of a Handbag Capsule Collection and innovative Bentley Home Collection featuring a range of designer furniture inspired by the craftsmanship found inside every Bentley car.

 

Other key highlights included celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Her Majesty The Queen’s Coronation by playing a headlining role at a special gathering of over 200 Royal Warrant Holders in the grounds of Buckingham Palace this July.

Landmark year for Bentley - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

The company’s famous Crewe headquarters celebrated 75 years of continuous engine production whilst also looking to the future when 20,000 solar panels were installed on the roof of Bentley’s factory. It is anticipated that at peak generation times, the system will produce up to 40 per cent of Bentley’s energy requirements and reduce CO2 usage by over 2,500 tonnes per year.

 

Mystery Shopping and Performance Improvement company, Douglas Stafford, works with Bentley providing a bespoke mystery shopping programme to include video mystery shopping.

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

UK banknotes to switch to plastic in 2016

 

Plastic banknotes to enter circulation in 2016 

 

By Hannah Cook

 

The Bank of England has confirmed that the next £5 and £10 banknotes will be printed on plastic, as it makes the switch from the current cotton paper.

 

The new polymer notes will retain the familiar look of Bank of England banknotes, including the portrait of the Queen and a historical character.

UK bank notes to switch to plastic in 2016 - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

The first polymer note will be a £5 note featuring Sir Winston Churchill which will be issued in 2016. It will be followed around a year later by a £10 note featuring Jane Austen.

 

The decision follows a three-year research programme by the Bank from which it concluded that plastic notes are cleaner, more secure and last at least two and a half times longer than cotton paper.

 

The switch to the new material has also been backed by the public with 87 per cent of the 13,000 people who gave feedback as part of the consultation saying they were in favour of polymer.

 

The Bank said its notes are currently large compared with their international counterparts, making the largest denomination notes harder to fit into cash handling technology and less convenient for everyday use. Smaller notes will also reduce printing and storage costs.

 

Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England, said: “Polymer notes are the next step in the evolution of banknote design to meet that objective. The quality of polymer notes is higher, they are more secure from counterfeiting, and they can be produced at lower cost to the taxpayer and the environment.”

 

 

You can follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford on Twitter @DouglasStafford and Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

Douglas Stafford supports school Christmas card project

 

Douglas Stafford supports Harbour School youngsters 

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communcations

 

Mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford, is supporting a festive themed business initiative by a Portsmouth school.

 

For the second year running, The Harbour School  – which is based at five sites across Portsmouth and supports children who suffer from behaviour, emotional and social difficulties – has made a selection of Christmas cards.

Douglas Stafford supports Harbour School Christmas card project - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

After success in the Tycoon in Schools Project in 2012, launched by Dragons’ Den star Peter Jones, the youngsters were able to expand their business ideas in 2013 to more personal products, including keyrings, t-shirts and mugs.

 

The Tycoon in Schools Project was designed to get school children across the UK involved in entrepreneurship.

 

This year, students at The Harbour School chose to design a bespoke range of Christmas cards, with all money raised going towards future school initiatives to support young entrepreneurs.

 

And to show support for the school, Douglas Stafford, has purchased a selection of the personalised cards designed by the school children.

 

Youngsters at The Harbour School presented a team member at Douglas Stafford with the Christmas cards at the school’s first ever Christmas fete.

 

Teacher in charge of enterprise, David MacAskill, said: “Last year’s project was hugely successful and has allowed us to go the extra step this year. The students have all worked hard and I am very proud of them.”

 

You can follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford on Twitter @DouglasStafford and Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

Douglas Stafford team support Community Christmas Lunch at 1000 Lakeside

 

 

Douglas Stafford team help make Christmas special for under-privileged people

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

Team members at mystery shopping company Douglas Stafford brought some festive cheer to under-privileged children and adults at the company’s head office in Portsmouth on Sunday.

Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping team support Community Christmas Lunch at 1000 Lakeside

 

A charity Christmas lunch took place in the Real Cooking Cafe at 1000 Lakeside, Lakeside North Harbour, Portsmouth for three local charities.

 

Those invited to the special lunch included families, children and young adults currently being supported by the You Trust, Two Saints, The Roberts Centre and the Paulsgrove Foodbank.

 

The event was organised by members of the Lakeside CSR Group and businesses at Lakeside North Harbour. Volunteers from businesses based at 1000 Lakeside made sure the venue was ready and the food was prepared to serve to around 200 people who attended.

 

Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping team support Community Christmas Lunch at 1000 Lakeside

Douglas Stafford Operations Manager, Paul Brown, gave up his weekend to prepare and cook all the food.

 

Paul, a former chef at The Grand Hotel, Brighton, said: “It was a really amazing day. To see so many people tucking into their Christmas dinner with a smile on their faces was very special. We put in a lot of hard work and I am glad it all paid off. I must say a big thank you to all the members of the Douglas Stafford team who helped over the weekend.”

 

The event even attracted media attention, with Paul interviewed on BBC Radio Solent. BBC South Today also attended and filmed throughout the event, speaking to guests and some representatives of the charities. Douglas Stafford Head of Communications, Jamie White, was also interviewed and asked for his thoughts on the day. The footage from the lunch was used on BBC South Today on their breakfast bulletins and the evening show.

Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping team support Community Christmas Lunch at 1000 Lakeside

 

Lakeside North Harbour Marketing and Client Liaison Manager, Karen Tyrrell, played a huge part in organising the lunch and ensuring things ran smoothly.

 

“It was a huge success. I have had emails from all the charities thanking the CSR group for its efforts and commenting on how much fun everybody had on the day. All of the volunteers, from from 1000 Lakeside, had a wonderful fun-packed, but tiring day, and all agreed that it felt fabulous giving back to the local community. Thank you to everyone who helped make the day so successful,” said Karen.

 

Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping team support Community Christmas Lunch at 1000 Lakeside

The Lakeside CSR group includes 100 Lakeside companies – Coffin Mew, EBP, Lakeside North Harbour, Douglas Stafford, Infinity Design, Giant Leap Video Production, Eco-Drift, The Southern Co-operative, Bouygues and Changes Clinic.

 

Douglas Stafford provides a bespoke range of mystery shopping and customer experience programmes including Telephone Mystery Shopping, Email Mystery Shopping, Report-Based Mystery Shopping and Video Mystery Shopping, across the UK.

 

Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping team at the Community Christmas Lunch at 1000 Lakeside

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

on Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

 

London Wine Week set to launch

 

London Wine Week to launch in 2014

 

By Hannah Cook

 

The organisers of London Wine Fair (LWF) are partnering with the team behind London Cocktail Week to launch London Wine Week – a seven day celebration of London’s restaurants, bars and wine merchants.

 

Taking place between June 2-8 and coinciding with the Wine Fair itself, London Wine Week is set to engage with wine drinkers through a series of innovative activities.

London Wine Week set to launch - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

The targeted 10,000 participants will wear London Wine Week wristbands, giving them access to the special offers and wine experiences taking place all over London.

 

London Wine Week is inviting independent merchants and venues to sign up now. Both Borough Wines and the D&D group are among those who have already confirmed involvement.

 

Participating outlets will be included in the London Wine Week guide book, and events will be listed on www.londonwineweek.com

 

Ross Carter, LWF show director, said: “London Wine Week is about taking a fun and engaging approach to tasting and drinking wine and we believe that a central London trade event supported by a consumer-facing festival, is a great way for the trade to make the most of a week when winemakers from all over the world descend on the city.

 

It will provide an opportunity for restaurants and retailers to attract new customers and for producers and the trade to promote the all-important message of ‘drink better, not more’.”

 

 

You can follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford on Twitter @DouglasStafford and Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk

 

Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping team in the Christmas spirit

 

Douglas Stafford team join in with National Christmas Jumper Day and Lakeside North Harbour Christmas Cake competition

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

Team members from mystery shopping company Douglas Stafford have been getting into the festive spirit – and raising money for charity at the same time.

Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping team get into the Christmas spirit

 

Joining in with National Christmas Jumper Day, team members at the Portsmouth based company donned an array of Christmas themed jumpers to raise money for Save the Children UK.

 

Father Christmas, Rudolph, Christmas puddings and snowmen could all be spotted at the company’s Head Office at 1000 Lakeside, Lakeside North Harbour.

 

Head of Communications, Jamie White, said: “It’s great to see so many of our team getting into the spirit of things and making a wonderful effort with their Christmas jumpers.”

Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping team get into the Christmas spirit

 

The Douglas Stafford team photo also made it on to the official Save the Children National Christmas Jumper day blog, along with a host of top celebrities and fundraisers in the UK. The blog can be found here – http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/christmas-jumper-day

 

Douglas Stafford team members also took part in the annual Christmas Cake decorating competition at Lakeside North Harbour today (Friday) – finishing in a very credible second place.

Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping team get into the Christmas spirit

 

Video Editors Bess Alderton and Emily Alice Wilson, Client Relations Manager Madelaine Cook, PA to the Operations Director Kathleen Field and Head of Communications Jamie White designed the festive themed cake, adding in penguins, a snowman and an igloo.

 

Emily said: “We only had 30 minutes to design the cake so the pressure was on. But I am really happy with how our cake looked.”

 

Madelaine added: “There were some really amazing entries, so to finish in second place is excellent. The cake looked great and it tasted good too!”

Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping team get into the Christmas spirit

 

Douglas Stafford provides a bespoke range of mystery shopping and customer experience programmes including Telephone Mystery Shopping, Email Mystery Shopping, Report-Based Mystery Shopping and Video Mystery Shopping, across the UK.

 

You can follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford on Twitter @DouglasStafford and Facebook facebook.com/douglasstafforduk