Top Stories...
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Findel’s Kitbag, healthcare division no longer for sale
Multititle mailer Findel, which has been striving to raise cash earlier this year, has succeeded well enough that it has taken its healthcare division and sports gear etailer Kitbag off the selling block. Like-for-like half-year sales for Findel’s home shopping division, which includes Express Gifts, Kleeneze, and the Webb Group as well as Kitbag, were up 8.9 percent from last year, to £171.8 million for the six months ended 3rd October. Within the healthcare group, sales increased 1 percent, to £30.9 million. But sales within the educational division, which includes Hope Education and NES Arnold, fell 20 percent, to £74.5 million. Overall, Findel posted a statutory loss before tax of £21.1 million, a turnaround from the £1.8 million in profit it enjoyed a year ago, due in part to restructuring costs. |
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Screwfix a weak spot for Kingfisher
Tools cataloguer/retailer Screwfix suffered a 3.8 percent decline in third-quarter sales, to £122 million for the 13 weeks ended 31st October. Almost 60 percent of its sales came from its 147 trade counters. Total UK and Ireland sales for parent company Kingfisher, which also owns the B&Q retail chain, rose 4.4 percent, to £1.09 billion. Total company sales increased 5.5 percent, to £2.69 billion.
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Other news...
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November direct sales up 16.9 percent
November catalogue and web sales rose 16.9 percent from last year, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Total retail sales grew 4.1 percent, while like-for-likes increased 1.8 percent. This last figure in particular was deemed “disappointing” because the comparison was against weak trading last November.
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Possible strike at N Brown
N Brown workers who are members of labour union Usdaw voted to reject a pay freeze for 2010, and a vote on whether to strike could take place next week. An N Brown spokesperson, however, told the Manchester Evening News that if workers were to strike, it would not affect Christmas orders, as any work action could not legally be implemented until the new year.
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Google upgrades
Google is rolling out its “real-time search”, in which updates from social-networking sites are included in search results. It is also testing Google Goggles, which enables users to take a photo of an item and then use it to query the search engine. And it is extending its personalised search to all users, not just those who opt in, though users can opt out. The personalised search is expected to make search engine optimisation more challenging for websites.
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Asos going green
Fashion etailer Asos will be launching The Green Room, an ethical-fashion addition to its website, in February. It has already signed ranges from Terra Plana and People Tree, amongst others, for the new department.
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A date for your diary!
The Royal Lancaster Hotel in London will be the venue for next year's prestigious annual ECMOD Awards, which take place on 14th April. The event is designed to recognise the hard work, flair and commitment of businesses in the catalogue and multi-channel sector. Entries are welcome from single, dual and multi-channel enterprises of all sizes and at all stages of development. There are categories for both B2B and B2C marketers. For more details about entries, table booking and sponsorship opportunities visit www.ecmod360.co.uk |
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Catalogue Exchange events for 2010
There's not long left to secure your place at the first Catalogue Exchange event of 2010. The training day is being held in Bristol on January 28th and will feature a team of experts who will show delegates how to improve their web sales on a shoestring budget. If you can't make it, a second one will be held in Leeds on March 10th. Don't forget to book your place as well, for the CatEx New Year Detox in Twickenham on February 4th. A range of training days, conferences and seminars will be taking place throughout 2010. Visit www.catalogueexchange.co.uk to see the full calendar.
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The key components of an effective ecommerce site: 2010 version
Flexible order fulfilment functionality, globalisation options, and the ability to administer multiple web domains from the same back end are just a few of the elements deemed vital to a successful ecommerce site in the coming year. For details about these and the other components, click here.
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Six common email marketing mistakes—and how to fix them
Sometimes all you need to do to improve your email response and conversion rates is rectify one or two fairly basic errors. Find out how to repair six of the most common mistakes at catalog-biz.com.
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Coming up in Catalogue e-business magazine
- January issue: Annual business health check—what you need to know and do to ensure your company is ready to make the most of 2010.
- February issue: Double feature—catalogue design and branding AND a roundup of payment processing service providers.
To advertise, contact the Catalogue e-business sales team on 01271 866112 or at sales@catalog-biz.com. To subscribe, contact Jill Sweet on 01271 866221 or at subs@catalog-biz.com. |
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| Books of the Week |
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The UK Catalogue & Home Shopping Market 2009
From the Organisers of ECMOD
Special Offer: now £75! (including Postage)
Order >
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Accountable Marketing
Author: Peter J Rosenwald
Price: £40.00 + P&P
Order >
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Advertise your latest vacancies in CataloguesCatalogues. Use this one stop medium to recruit best sector candidates. Click here for the latest rates or call us on 01271 866112.
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Sales Manager
Motorcycle/On-line Retail Business
Importer/exporter of aftermarket kit/accessories seeks a highly motivated manager with excellent retail/e-commerce credentials. We sell direct to customers via web, email, and some shows: and to dealerships throughout the UK, with 25% of business overseas. There is scope for acquisition and expansion.
We seek sales experience with a passion for motorcycles. The position requires general management of the business, overseeing fulfilment staff, liaison with European manufacturers, sourcing and own product development.
Some overseas travel. Secondary language an advantage. Salary with profit/bonus incentive. Located Lincolnshire, possible re-location to Chelmsford/Bath. Please email, in the first instance, karen@ecmod.com, quoting Box No. 349-001 in the subject line.
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Hot off the Press!
Five exciting new vacancies have been unveiled by Expert Register on behalf of the award winning Scotts & Co. The firm operates a group of ten catalogue and online brands, including household names such as Scotts of Stow and Presents Direct. The roles are all based at the company’s headquarters in Wiltshire.
Head of E-Commerce Marketing Excellent salary plus car allowance, bonus & share options
Head of Marketing – Wines
Excellent salary plus car allowance, bonus & share options
Head of Marketing Communications
(12 month maternity cover) - Excellent salary
Head of New Customer Acquisition Excellent salary plus bonus
Brand Managers
£20,000 - £30,000 plus benefits
For further information about any of the above vacancies visit our website, expertregister.net.
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Head of Catalogue Production
Salary: Excellent
A retained client has an opening for an outstanding individual to manage its internal team and the range of external suppliers who work to produce multiple editions of its range of catalogues and promotional pieces. Ideally with experience in a highly pressurised commercial production role, the ideal candidate for this key permanent role will have an extensive knowledge of all production processes as well as strong scheduling and negotiation skills.
For further enquiries or to apply, please email karen@expertregister.net.
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Are you looking for a new challenge?Advertise in CataloguesCatalogues Talent Shop and you will reach the desktops of thousands of potential employers in the catalogue and home shopping sector. The service is completely free of charge and includes a free confidential reply email address if required.
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Marketer
Marketer with twenty plus years experience in top London DM agencies now running a consultancy for small to medium sized companies to help them develop and grow. Approachable, affordable and results orientated - why not get in touch and see what we can do for your business.
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To find out more about the above advert, or to place your own in Talent Shop, email your 30 word profile to info@ecmod.com and it will appear in the next available issue.
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