High energy costs and the overall economic weakness have taken their toll on two courier businesses. Netfold, the parent company of Amtrak, went into administration on 22nd August. It was the second time in less than two years that the parcel carrier ceased trading. Dabs.com, Feather & Black and Kleeneze are among the direct marketers affected.

Also in administration is Business Direct Group. But another courier firm, DX Group, has acquired two of Business Direct’s three divisions: In-Night, which operates a network of secure drop-boxes for parcel delivery, and PX Worldwide Licensing, which licenses secure delivery technology.  

Launched in late July, the ecommerce site of apparel retailer Jane Norman is already reporting weekly sales of £100,000, even though it has not yet started marketing the site.   The company hopes to be reaping annual online sales of £20 million by 2010.

As part of its rebranding, Ironmongery Direct has relaunched its ecommerce site. Among the enhancements are a courier tracking system and specialised content for trade customers and DIY shoppers. For its part, fashion merchant Joe Browns has introduced several social-networking elements to its website. It is inviting customers to submit photos and travel stories to its Planet Joe section of the site, which also features music tracks and a blog.

Electronics and computer reseller DSGi warned that it may cut 50 jobs within its DSGi Business unit. DSGi Business includes cataloguer/retailer PC World Business and direct brand MacWarehouse. The unit currently employs about 800 workers. Overall, DSGi reported a 7-percent drop in like-for-like sales for the 16 weeks to 23rd August. On the plus side, internet sales rose 6 percent.

Adili, a web cataloguer of ethical fashion, is issuing new shares to its largest shareholder, Hawk Investments Holdings, in part to help it get its proprietary clothing label off the ground. Adili also reported that first-quarter revenues for fiscal 2008 were more than double those of last year’s.

You should subscribe to Insight, a free fortnightly enewsletter from Catalogues/Catalogues sister publication Catalogue/e-business magazine. Insight offers the expert advice and industry research you need to grow your business.

To sign up for your free subscription, go to http://www.catalog-biz.com/insightsub.aspx.
Or check out the article archive at http://www.catalog-biz.com/insight.aspx.

More organisations than ever are reaping the benefits of belonging to The Catalogue Exchange. As this not-for-profit organisation expands it offers all of its members an unprecedented opportunity to network with their peers and to take part in exclusive Catalogue Exchange London and regional events. At ECMOD client side members can enrol in any of the conference modules at a reduced rate as well as enjoy free one to one consultations with independent experts in the Catalogue Exchange Advice Centre. Nor forgetting the Catalogue Exchange’s own afternoon debate on the 1st September.   

With its brand new website about to launch and a host of events lined up – starting with the CatEx Annual ECMOD Eve Dinner on 30th September, the full afternoon CatEx conference module at ECMOD plus further events in Cheltenham and Brighton coming up this Autumn – you can rely on CatEx to keep you in touch with the market. Call Jill or Monica for full details or visit www.catalogueexchange.co.uk  (our soon to be replaced site).

More people than ever are taking the opportunity to register to visit the ECMOD Exhibition at Earls Court on 1st & 2nd October .... and this is why ....

• to find more cost effective solutions
• to source new suppliers
• to access new ideas
• to shortlist IT solutions
• to learn from their peers & glean insights
• to catch up with their counterparts from other businesses
• to seek potential alliances/affiliates/JV partners
• to keep abreast of changes in the market

If you aren’t already registered as a visitor or a delegate you and your colleagues are most welcome to join us. Please don’t miss out .... take a look at what’s going on in the packed agenda at www.ecmod.com or register right now ....

This year’s Catalogue|e-Business sponsored Supplier of the Year Awards contest has already generated record numbers of nominations from client companies – suppliers cannot enter themselves – they need your votes!

To express our appreciation and theirs for your votes all who nominate their suppliers will be put into a draw to win one of three pairs of VIP tickets for the Celebration Party. So don’t delay. All nominations must be received by 5.30pm on  9th September when entries will be verified, scrutinised and counted for each of the SEVEN categories. The draw for the winning tickets for vote casters can then take place – and winners will be notified on the 11th October... if your nominated supplier has won then we’ll also invite you to present the trophy along with CEB’s editorial director Sherry Chiger ... and join the champagne toast.

The trophies will be presented to the winning supplier companies on 1st September at 5.45pm in the ECMOD Exhibition Hall with the winning companies also receiving a pair of VIP tickets for the ECMOD Celebration Party at the Copthorne Tara Hotel, Kensington from 8.00pm.  

There is a special buy one get one free offer on tickets for this fabulous celebration party, which includes music, dancing, great food and welcome drinks ..... so two tickets can be yours for an all inclusive £49+vat .... a terrific value for a fabulous networking event at our ECMOD HQ hotel! Why not bring the team along ... it's really too good to miss! Call Karen or Leanne now with your credit card at the ready to secure your tickets on 01271 866112.

Giftware/Graphic Designer

Giftware/Graphic Designer looking for additional assignments and new challenges.
Many years experience in the Giftware industry originating ideas, writing captions, creating designs, producing finished products etc. Products have sold through well known Retailers, Mail Order Companies and Online Shops.

For further information email: karen@ecmod.com

Are you looking for a new challenge?

To place your advert in CataloguesCatalogues Talent Shop click here to submit your details and it will appear in the next available issue.