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Net-a-Porter in strategic review
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Fashion business Net-a-Porter is understood to be conducting a review in order to secure new investment. The business which was founded eight years ago employs some 290 staff in London & New York and is said to achieve a £500 average order value (basket) from its online customers. Analysts suggest that the business is worth around £250 million. Richemont currently holds a 28 per cent stake, as does Baywinds. |
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Carphone Warehouse deal signals tough times ahead
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Best Buy's £1.1 billion spend for half of The Carphone Warehouse business has set alarm bells ringing throughout the European home electricals and PC retailing sector. Best Buy, the US market's largest electrical retailer, is renowned for low prices and high quality service, presents awesome competition in an already tough market. Most are closing stores as in the case of DSG which has cut back in Europe and has earmarked several hundred of its UK Currys and PC World stores for closure. Best Buy has not ruled out buying other UK and European chains to further its assault on the market. |
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New Heights sinks to new low
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The 20 strong chain of New Heights stores along with the 34 stores it acquired when it bought Sofa Workshop from MFI failed to open at the weekend and remain in darkness. No one could be contacted at head office to confirm whether the business had completely ceased trading. |
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Next Directory sales blip
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For the 13 weeks to April 28th Next Directory sales dropped by one per cent over the same period last year following a tightening of criteria for sales on credit terms. CEO Simon Wolfson warned of clothing price inflation impacting retailers early next year due to rising costs and commented that the "ups and downs" in consumer spending "are larger than I have ever seen them." |
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White Stuff achieves sales rise
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White Stuff founders George Treves and Sean Thomas have achieved sales of £43.8 million for the year to April 26th. The increase of 39 per cent resulted in a £6.9 million operating profit. The founders have appointed KPMG to find an investor who will take a minority stake to enable them to fund further expansion. There are currently 49 stores in the White Stuff chain against a planned for 75 in the UK. |
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Royal Mail posts £279m loss
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Despite a revenue increase of 2.3 per cent to £9.3 billion, Royal Mail posted an operating loss of £279 million last year. The union Unite has called for the dismissal of Adam Crozier and Allan Leighton saying that it believes that the current management team has taken the organisation as far as it can. Others are citing Royal Mail's loss of high volume business mail to competitors and cash strapped consumers switching to lower cost email over post as the primary reasons for its declining profitability. |
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Don Libey to facilitate Entrepreneurs' Exchange at ECMOD
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Don Libey has agreed to chair and guide a half day session for business owners within the ECMOD conference programme in October at Earls Court. Among those joining him will be serial entrepreneur Dan Wagner and Kevin Hague of multi-brand, multi-channel operation M8 retail. Rob Galkoff makes a welcome return to ECMOD to chair a half day module entitled 21st Century Media Mastery, and other sessions continue to be added to what will be an information packed, breaking edge forum for the sector. Topics falling under the spotlight include creative, content management for print & web publishing, copywriting for web, social media & catalogues, Catalogue Exchange@ecmod – a half day of debate for members, and much more. The programme which is bookable by the half day will be published in full and released at The Catalogue Exchange Annual Summit on June 3rd. |
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The latest signups for ECMOD2008
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The most recent companies to sign up for ECMOD are Wyndeham Press Group, Web Marketplace Solutions and Powerhouse Photography.
There are just a few prime locations stands remaining: 305, 321, 324 and 507.
Please feel free to look at the FLOOR PLAN, and contact Karen - Karen@ecmod.com to book your stand |
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| Sponsor's Message |
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Submit a Job
Situations Vacant Rates |
Merchandise Buyer – Gifts. ACORN MEDIA
Acorn Media UK Ltd is an established mail order company specialising in high quality British TV programming on DVD and gifts to a discerning customer. This new position is an opportunity for someone who enjoys flexible working but can commit to at least one day in the Head Office in Clapham.
Job Description
We are looking for an experienced buyer who can help secure our future strategic growth plans through selecting quality non DVD products for the Acorn catalogues. The successful candidate must have a proven buying record and have the ability to source products from predominantly UK wholesalers and manufacturers to service our customers.
The candidate must be confident and able to negotiate terms and stock requirements with suppliers to maintain our required product margins.
We are ideally looking for somebody to work 21 hour per week. Note : If the role appeals but you are looking for a full time position then please state this on the application.
Key Requirements
- An expert knowledge of merchandise/gift buying in the UK market.
- Ability to source products suitable for the Acorn customer demographic (55 +)
- The day to day running of supplier accounts and liaise with suppliers to maximize terms and sales opportunities.
- You will be required to work to challenging schedules and deadlines with the minimum of supervision.
Terms and conditions.
Salary for this position will be in the region of £25,000 - £30,000 commensurate with your experience in buying in the gift industry and there will be a bonus scheme in place to encourage success.
www.acornmedia.com
Closing Date May 16th. Applications to humanresources@acornmediauk.com
For any questions please contact 0207 627 7200.
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Creative Strategy in Direct & Interactive Marketing
To become a successful direct and interactive marketer, it is vital to stoke your creative fires: to move beyond the obvious formula and format to discover fresh words and pictures that overcome inertia and incite prospects to action. The all-new third edition of Creative Strategy in Direct and Interactive has been totally revised to address the new issues of interactive marketing media and integration and convergence of all media. Susan Jones shares with us how the creative strategy must fit into the marketing plan and what the creative team needs to know to produce superior results that are both strategically correct and tactically effective.
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Submit your details |
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Are you looking for a new challenge?
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| Advertise in CataloguesCatalogues Talent Shop and you will reach the desktops of thousands of potential employers in the catalogue and home shopping sector. Previous advertisers have secured temporary contracts and permanent positions as a direct result of appearing in CataloguesCatalogues. The service is completely free of charge and includes a free confidential reply email address if required. |
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Ex Managing Director
b2b and b2c with international
credentials seeking assignments Specialises in
start-ups, turnrounds or those businesses just
looking for better marketing ROI . Assessments of
competitive opportunities for new services or
acquisitions.
Please contact Karen for more information at karen@ecmod.com
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To place your advert in CataloguesCatalogues Talent Shop click here to submit your details and it will appear in the next available issue. |
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