Monthly Archives: January 2014

Sainsbury’s to educate workers in South Africa and Kenya

 

Sainsbury’s to educate workers in South Africa and Kenya

 

By Hannah Cook

 

Sainsbury’s is part of a new £4 million UK government initiative to improve the lives of workers and farmers in supply chains around the world.

Sainsbury's to educate workers in South Africa and Kenya - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Sainsbury’s is set to launch two projects in South Africa and Kenya, in partnership with The Department for International Development (DfID).

 

More than 26,000 flower and tea pickers’ will have access to education and skills which will address social issues through a radio show broadcast in Kenya over a six month period.

 

Topics covered in the scheme – which costs £4 million – include nutrition, health and financial literacy.

 

Sainsbury’s has said the partnership is part of the company’s commitment to creating a positive impact in the countries it sources its thousands of products from.

 

The grocer will also bring a training programme for its South African fruit supply chain workers and will give them the chance to visit Britain to find out what happens to the apples, pears, grapes and nectarines they pick or pack, go on sale in supermarkets.

 

 

 

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John Lewis set to partner with Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games

 

Retail giant John Lewis announces Glasgow 2014 partnership

 

By Hannah Cook

 

John Lewis is set to sponsor this year’s Commonwealth Games by becoming the ‘Official Department Store Provider’.

 

The partnership will see the retailer provide bedding and white goods for the Athletes’ Village.

John Lewis set to partner with Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

The retailer has already begun selling Glasgow 2014 merchandise on its website and later in the year will open dedicated Glasgow 2014 shops within its shops in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

 

In addition, the partnership with Glasgow 2014 will mean that selected My John Lewis customers will have the chance to obtain tickets to Commonwealth Games events.

 

David Grevemberg, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014, commented: “The John Lewis brand is synonymous with strong values and great quality, making it a great fit within the Glasgow 2014 sponsor family.”

John Lewis set to partner with Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

John Lewis Retail Director Andrew Murphy said: “We’ve been supporting Glasgow 2014 since the bid stage, and are delighted to continue our support by becoming the Official Department Store Provider of the Commonwealth Games. We want our shops to be a central part of the celebrations: not only with the merchandise we will sell, but through some of the great events we’ve got planned for customers and Partners alike.”

 

John Lewis hopes the sponsorship of the Games will build on the success of its support of London 2012.

 

The retailer’s sales of London 2012 official merchandise exceeded expectations by 25 per cent, while sales of its own-brand celebratory range, ‘Celebration of Britain’, were 44 per cent higher than expected.

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

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Boating tourism contributes £3.7 billion to UK economy

 

Boating tourism contributes billions to UK economy

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

Boating tourism contributed an estimated £3.7 billion to the UK economy in 2012/13, according to a new report published by the British Marine Federation.

 

Boating tourism contributes staggering £3.7 billion to UK economy - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

This figure accounts for 3.2 per cent of all tourism expenditure in the UK, and supports approximately 96,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs through direct and indirect effects.

 

This annual contribution to the UK economy in 2012/13 is estimated to be larger than the total tourism impact of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games between 2005 and 2017, including pre-event visits, the Games themselves and the estimated ongoing legacy effect.

 

UK boating tourism sectors – marinas/moorings, passenger boats, charter/boat hire and sea schools/training – generated a total turnover of £609 million in 2012/13, across more than 2,000 businesses. This returned Gross Value Added of £434 million and supporting 14,900 FTE jobs.

 

Boating tourism contributes staggering £3.7 billion to UK economy - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

In addition, wider tourism expenditures support a further 81,000 FTE jobs and £3.3 billion of GVA in the UK economy. These expenditures include purchases of ‘non-boating’ goods and services, such as food, drink, travel and accommodation, resulting from day visits and overnights stays to participate in boating and watersports activities, visit boats and take trips on passenger boats.

 

Helen Grant MP, Minister for Tourism said: “I very much welcome the findings of the British Marine Federation’s report into the Economic Benefits for UK Boating Tourism. These are important statistics to a Government which recognises the crucial role that the overall tourism sector plays in economic growth. Boating tourism has a key part to play in sustaining this positive picture.”

 

Nigel Hamilton, Chairman of British Marine Federation Tourism, commented: “Boating tourism is a very diverse segment of the UK tourism market and makes a valuable contribution to the wider economy. Prospects for future growth now look good as we expect participation rates in water-based activities to rise.”

Boating tourism contributes staggering £3.7 billion to UK economy - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford, offers a number of team building and reward recognition programmes, as well as corporate entertainment, on-board the company’s 40ft yacht, Lady Diane. These days are held in The Solent, and the company uses a professionally qualified skipper.

 

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

 

Honda launches new car care package

 

New five-year car care package launched by Honda

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

Honda UK has celebrated the start of 2014 with the launch of an all-new comprehensive aftercare package.

 

Honda launches new car care package - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Available with any new Honda, the package – simply called ‘Five’ – includes five years’ servicing, five years’ warranty and five years’ roadside assist for £500.

 

Honda vehicles are already known for being amongst the most reliable on the road, and the new Five package provides extra reassurance for a truly carefree ownership experience.

 

In addition to the deal, Honda buyers can also take advantage of a three-year zero per cent (APR representative) finance deal available with all Jazz, Civic and CR-V entry-level S models. This means customers can also take advantage of some low monthly payments, including £209 per month and £269 per month for the British-built Civic and CR-V models, respectively. These monthly payments even incorporate the cost of the new ‘Five’ aftercare package.

 

Leon Brannan, Head of Cars, Honda UK, said: “Ensuring that the recommended service schedules are met by a Honda authorised dealer safeguards efficiency and roadworthiness, and keeping it ‘100 per cent Honda’ also helps to maximise the car’s residual value.

 

“Honda’s excellent new Five aftercare package aims to give complete peace of mind. Customers know that most of the major costs of motoring will be covered for the next five years for just one fixed price, and by accessing skilled Honda technicians and original Honda parts they have the reassurance of maximum service quality. Alongside our continued commitment to competitive finance deals, we’re pleased to be doing all we can to help customers manage their motoring costs.”

 

 

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Renault UK appoints new marketing director

 

Management changes and promotions at Renault UK 

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

Renault UK has announced the appointment of Mihai Bordeanu as Marketing Director succeeding Phil York who is promoted to a new global marketing role based in Paris.

Renault appoints Mihai Bordeanu as marketing director - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Mihai Bordeanu, will oversee all of the Renault Group’s advertising, direct marketing, product planning, pricing, vehicle distribution, market analysis, strategy and research for the UK, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta markets for both the Renault and Dacia brands.

 

Mihai takes the reins on March 1st and will sit on the main Renault UK Ltd board headed by Managing Director, Ken Ramirez.

 

Mihai joined the Renault Group in February 2010 as Marketing Director for Romania responsible for the Renault and Dacia brands. He joined Renault from Toyota Romania where, in three years, he held the roles of Marketing Director, Commercial Director and, finally, Balkans Divisional Director for Lexus.

 

In addition, Chris White is promoted to the new role of Deputy Marketing Director for the UK, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta, effective February 1st. In this new role as second-in-command, Chris will be responsible for the continued deployment of effective marketing actions across the Renault and Dacia brands in the territory. Chris brings a wealth of experience through her career at Renault UK in a variety of roles in sales, marketing and after-sales positions both in head office and in the field. Chris will also retain her current Brand Manager responsibilities for the Renault brand and will be performing the role of acting Marketing Director in the interim prior to Mihai’s arrival.

Renault appoints Mihai Bordeanu as marketing director - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Mihai said: “I am delighted to join the Renault UK group at such an exciting time for the brands with the group now back in the top 10 Retail franchises in the UK. I look forward to further drive the franchise growth through outstanding brand value for both Renault and Dacia.”

 

Ken Ramirez, Managing Director, Renault UK Ltd said: “It is a great pleasure to welcome Mihai into our team at Renault UK and I am confident he will make a valuable contribution to our continued success. Following such a successful 2013, with group car volume up 55 per cent, I am very sorry to see Phil depart after the major contributions he made in leading our marketing team. I wish Mihai, Phil and Chris the very best in their new roles.”

 

Mystery Shopping and Performance Improvement company, Douglas Stafford, provides Renault UK and Dacia with a tailored and bespoke nationwide mystery shopping programme to include  Telephone Mystery Shopping, Email Mystery Shopping and Video Mystery Shopping.

 

Kia celebrates an increase in business car users

 

Kia dealers build corporate success

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

Following on from record sales figures in 2013, Kia dealers across the UK saw an increase in business and company car users.

Kia celebrates an increase in business car users - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Strong increases in contract hire, public sector and leasing business helped push corporate sales – excluding rental and Motability – for the Kia brand to new levels, delivering important commercial success for Kia’s 177 UK dealers.

 

An increase in Public Sector sales saw Kia’s performance in that sector rise from virtually zero in 2010 to more than 2,500 cars in 2013, while Kia Contract Hire numbers rocketed from 221 to 3,200 in the same period. The Sportage, cee’d and Rio all performed strongly – accounting for more than 12,000 sales in 2013.

 

John Hargreaves, Head of Fleet and Remarketing at Kia Motors UK said: “Increasing business sales through our network has been central to our plan over recent years and we are now seeing a very strong return from that strategy. We took a decision to carefully manage our sales into the big fleet channels such as daily rental and Motability and we have provided support for our dealers to help them understand and maximise the local business possibilities and to compete effectively.

 

“Overall that means we saw a 37 per cent increase in this area of business during 2013 – with strong growth in all channels including independent contract hire, Kia contract hire and, rewardingly, in the Public Sector.”

Kia celebrates an increase in business car users - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

It meant an increase in business registrations via the dealer network from just under 3,100 in 2010 to more than 14,000 vehicles last year. That represents a market share of 2.7 per cent – excluding daily rental, Motability and demonstrators.

 

One major area of success for Kia has been in sales to Small and Medium Enterprises – where cars are bought very much in the same way as retail cars. That performance increased by 30 per cent in 2013.

 

Mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford, works with Kia Motors UK, providing a bespoke mystery shopping and customer experience programme, to include video mystery shopping.

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

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UK mortgage approvals hit a high

 

Consumer confidence continues to return in the UK

 

By Hannah Cook

 

British lenders approved more mortgages in December than in any other month since the start of the financial crisis, according to new data.

UK mortgage approvals hit a high - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

The British Bankers’ Association has revealed that mortgages for homes purchases rose to 46,521 in December – the highest level since September 2007 – from 45,394 in November. It is thought initiatives, including the Government’s Help to Buy scheme, have helped to inject more first-time buyers into the market and free up housing chains.

 

BBA Director of Statistics David Dooks said: “This provides further evidence of a more active housing market, helped by growing consumer confidence and government support schemes such as Help to Buy.”

 

Data shows the number of mortgages were up 42 per cent from a year ago, although they remained below levels of more than 70,000 seen in late 2006, before the financial crisis.

 

The pick-up in the housing market has accompanied a rapid rebound in Britain’s economy last year.

 

 

 

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More top awards for Renault

 

Great night for Renault as the company scoops several accolades

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

The Megane Renaultsport 265 Cup has scooped its fifth ‘What Car? Car of the Year Award’ hot hatch trophy.

More top awards for Renault - Douglas Stafford Mystery shopping

 

On a storming night in London for Renault – clients of mystery shopping company Douglas Stafford for 11 years – it drove off with three awards in total, plus another for its Dacia brand, as the 100 per cent electric ZOE Expression won ‘Best Green Car for less than £15,000’ and Captur was hailed ‘Best Small SUV for under £16,000’.

 

But the star of the show at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, was the facelifted Megane Renaultsport 265 Cup. Picking up ‘Best Hot Hatch over £20,000’, the judges said: “No other car could touch for outright excitement.”

 

Describing the five-time winner, road test editor Steven Huntingford said: “This squat, muscular hatch continues to delight with its blistering pace and direct, responsive handling.

More top awards for Renault - Douglas Stafford Mystery shopping

 

“The astonishing grip, body composure, and that explosive engine really do make this a thrill-a-minute car. To top it all, the hot hatch is perfectly tolerable in everyday driving – motorway journeys are a reasonably refined, comfortable affair, and it’s easy enough to pilot around town.”

 

Also among the honours in the capital was the pure electric Renault ZOE Expression, winning its price point in the best green car section. Judges said: “The ZOE’s attributes don’t stop at affordability. It’s a great small car in its own right, with room for four adults and a useful amount of luggage, a suitably bright and futuristic-looking interior, and big-car standard equipment including satellite navigation and a colour touch-screen.

 

“It’s even fun to drive, with the characteristic zesty initial acceleration and outstanding refinement of electric propulsion, as well as a comfortable ride and handling balance.”

 

And to complete a superb hat-trick for Renault, the Captur TCe 90 Dynamique MediaNav was declared ‘Best Small SUV for less than £16,000’.

 

Mystery Shopping and Performance Improvement company, Douglas Stafford, provides Renault UK and Dacia with a tailored and bespoke nationwide mystery shopping programme to include  Telephone Mystery Shopping, Email Mystery Shopping and Video Mystery Shopping.

Subway plans substantial UK growth

 

Sandwich chain Subway is planning an ambitious UK expansion plan

 

By Hannah Cook

 

Sandwich chain Subway is planning an ambitious expansion drive in the UK and Ireland that could create up to 13,000 new jobs.

Subway plans substantial UK growth - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

The food chain wants to grow from 1,731 stores to 3,000 by 2020.

 

The company which was founded in America in 1965 came to British shores in 1994 making the UK and Ireland its biggest market area outside America.

 

The food group has enjoyed recent success on the back of launching a new breakfast range and extending its opening hours in the evening and promoting its health credentials.

 

Subway has been opening roughly 150 stores a year in the UK and Ireland, but will ramp this up to 170 in 2014 as confidence grows in the health of the UK economy.

 

Mike Charest, Assistant Regional Director for Europe, said: “The UK and Irish markets have been fantastic success stories for the Subway brand and we see opportunities for further growth as more and more consumers demand great tasting food at a value price-point.

 

“The introduction of a varied breakfast menu and longer opening hours have been instrumental in increasing store footfall.”

 

Subway operates a franchise model similar to McDonald’s. The company claims research from the Centre for Economics and Business Research shows it contributes £875m to the UK economy.

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

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Marshall Motor Group takes over Maserati dealership

 

Maserati to be covered by Marshall Motor Group in Cambridgeshire

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

Maserati has appointed Marshall Motor Group to operate its latest new dealership covering the Cambridgeshire area.

Marshall Motor Group takes over Maserati dealership - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

This new agreement will see Marshall Maserati opening a brand new dealership to the very latest specification at their established site in Tyrell Park, Peterborough.

 

Opening in April, the dealership will be fully furnished to provide a bespoke five car showroom along with full service and repair facilities.

 

Daksh Gupta (pictured), CEO of Marshall Motor Group said: “We are thrilled to now be working with Maserati – an exciting brand with ambitious plans on the back of its enlarged product range. Peterborough is one of the fastest growing cities in Great Britain and is easily accessible for customers in the surrounding area, making this the ideal location for a new dealership for this brand. We are also excited to be partnering with our first specialist brand given our strategic intent to grow with specialist and premium brands in addition to our existing brand partners”.

 

This latest appointment follows three recent additions to the Maserati dealer network in the Cardiff, Glasgow and Kent territories, in keeping with the growth aspirations of the Italian marque.

Marshall Motor Group takes over Maserati dealership - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

David Aldcroft, Maserati North Europe Network Development Manager said: “We are very excited to be opening our next new dealer with Marshall Motor Group in Peterborough. Their reputation and desire to both represent Maserati and provide exceptional customer service will be a great asset to us and our customers.

 

“We are equally excited to see the significant growth in sales fuelled by the new Maserati Quattroporte and Ghibli models which are now at our dealerships. Marshall Motor Group is joining Maserati at a perfect and unprecedented time in our 100 year history”.

 

The Marshall Motor Group is a Top 10 dealer group and the second largest privately owned dealer group in the UK, operating more than 70 franchised dealership businesses representing 24 different manufacturer brands.

 

Mystery Shopping and Performance Improvement company, Douglas Stafford, provides Marshall Motor Group with a tailored and bespoke nationwide mystery shopping programme to include  Video Mystery Shopping.

 

 

Follow mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford:

 

on Twitter @DouglasStafford

 

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