|
|
And Finally - Come on, keep up! |
| |
Posted At: 15 November 2012 00:52 AM
Related Categories: And Finally, Retailers |
| |
SnapShop has not had, for some time, an "only in America!” story, but you won’t be surprised to hear that it was an American who crashed his car into a house (having consumed a little more than is sensible) and offered the shocked family some pizza.
He’s obviously not up with the times; the thing nowadays is pizza and a film (good thinking Domino’s! - Ed). A further tie up with the new Morrisons online venture and we can ensure, this side of the pond, no-one is out and about, under the influence and in possession of pizza.
|
|
|
|
And Finally - Mad about the Daddy |
| |
Posted At: 18 October 2012 00:00 AM
Related Categories: And Finally |
| |
SnapShop does not usually embroil itself in ethical nightmares, but as this brushes the edges of our retail world, we thought we ought to bring it to your attention.
Apparently some likely lad wanting to cash in on our celebrity-obsessed culture has decided it would be a good idea to get a few famous chaps to hand over their sperm, to enable slightly misguided (but undoubtedly very rich) young women to force the hand of fate and offer their offspring the genetic equivalent of a silver spoon.
At SnapShop we’re very aware that the best online sellers are those where you know what you’re going to get and you know it will be/do/fit exactly as you expect – why do you think Amazon launched with books! As everyone knows, very few children follow in their parents’ footsteps and these cash-rich, but otherwise very poor young women may find that the faceless father might be a premiership footballer, but might also have the looks of a pumpkin and the IQ of a goldfish.
Fame Daddy CEO Dan Richards said: "Our vision is to help women give their children the very best chance in life.” At fifteen grand a pop, might there be better ways of investing that money in your child’s future. What do you think?
SnapShop has learnt that ITV, who interviewed Dan Richards earlier this week, are now investigating what is potentially a spoof. Phillip Schofield of This Morning said: "There is no doubt it was an incredible tale. Well, we're conducting our ongoing investigations into Dan and there is a possibility that Dan may not actually be who he says he is and the fact that the whole story may not be what it says it was."
|
|
|
|
And Finally - Surreal |
| |
Posted At: 19 September 2012 17:21 PM
Related Categories: And Finally, Retailers |
| |
We have learnt on SnapShop this month that Ann Summers has launched a reality app to enable customers to virtually try on underwear.
Having tagged along with the FSP crew to BCSC last week, the SnapShop team is fully aware that the evolution of Shopping and Town Centres is heading towards greater emphasis on leisure and F&B, but how about this; a whole host of entertainment doing virtually anything – trying on clothes, creating hairstyles, adding the perfect body double to your own head. And then how about virtually spending a fortune, whilst not touching your bank account? The opportunities are endless, but let’s hope Ann Summers goes no further with augmenting reality – some things are best left to the imagination!
|
|
|
|
And Finally - QR Code on a Cow to Raise Awareness |
| |
Posted At: 19 July 2012 13:21 PM
Related Categories: And Finally, Social Commentary |
| |
In an attempt to raise awareness, a dairy farmer in Somerby, Leicestershire has come up with a new form of farming technology - putting QR codes on to cows. Lady Shamrock, the Fresian in question, is unknowingly raising the profile of the whole British dairy industry with her new tattoo.
Passers-by can scan the QR code using an app on a smartphone and get quick access to a blog which contains information about Lady Shamrock''s daily routine and the challenges facing dairy farmers.
Traffic to Lady Shamrock''s site has soared by 150% since she was turned into a walking weblink.
We all have seen QR Code tattoos, QR Code augmented reality t-shirts, people even cut their hair in a shape of a QR Code. So should we be surprised on seeing a cow who is moo-ving with the times — with a digital bar code on her side? Nonetheless this is unique, proving to be a huge hit among teenagers and is believed to be first of its kind in the country.
|
|
|
|
And Finally - Shop til you drop |
| |
Posted At: 21 June 2012 14:13 PM
Related Categories: And Finally, Retail |
| |
Travelodge has joined forces with Topshop in the first collaboration of its type. The duo has opened a combined development on Princes Street in Edinburgh. The largest Topshop in the city now has a 96 room, 4 storey Travelodge sitting on top, so you can you wake up and go straight downstairs to choose your attire for the day and when it comes to getting ready for the evening, you can pop in on your way back to your room to grab another outfit for the night’s festivities.
A spokeswoman for Travelodge said: ‘Shopaholics can now shop and snooze under one roof and with rooms from £19, there is plenty of change left to treat yourself to a new outfit.’
The two seem to be "delighted" about the collaboration so much that Travelodge even released 8,000 rooms for £19 across its 13 Edinburgh hotels.
What do you think – is it a good team up and who else can join forces within retail?
|
|
|
|
And Finally - Retailers hope the Olympics will keep them alight! |
| |
Posted At: 24 May 2012 00:30 AM
Related Categories: And Finally, Social Commentary |
| |
Only if you have been under a rock for the last 12 months could you have missed out on the hype surrounding an event with over 26 different sports, 10,500 participants and millions of spectators.
From press articles released over the last few weeks it is clear to see that retailers are taking advantage of London staging the Olympics.
Located on the main entrance to the Olympic Park, Westfield Stratford’s tenants hope to catch some of the action, as visitors arriving by public transport, will have to walk through the shopping centre to get to the Park.
Joining some of the 300 hopeful retailers in time for the games are Victoria’s Secret and Kate Spade.
Retailers like Burberry are opening elsewhere inside London and will also throw open their doors before the opening ceremony.
Juicy Couture and Selfridges (amongst others) will be launching lines to celebrate the games.
It is not just big name retailers however who are hoping to cash in on the games; one of the Olympic torch relay participants has auctioned off her souvenir on eBay. The torch she used in the parade (bought for just £215) fetched over 153,000 quid! We, at SnapShop, are pleased to note she’s putting the money towards a community gardening project - The People's Plot. The retailers are not anticipated to be quite so altruistic!
|
|
|
|
At the top... |
| |
Posted At: 23 April 2012 16:47 PM
Related Categories: And Finally |
| |
In a recent poll of the nation’s favourite retailer, who came top?
Not, as you might have thought, and as was the case last year, John Lewis (bronze medal this year).
Our favourite, according to the Verdict poll, is Ikea. Not that surprising really when you realise that, despite the do-it-yourself aspect to Ikea purchases (in store, as well as once you’re home), their 9,500 products offer style at a reasonable cost, whilst, for the environmentally conscious, the company has sustainability at its heart.
So, having got over the fact that John Lewis has been toppled by Ikea, prepare for a double whammy. Second to Ikea and ahead of John Lewis is….. Bonmarché
Curious.
Bonmarché, on its website, defines its own limited market “Bonmarché is the UK's largest value retailer selling affordable quality womenswear in a wide range of sizes (12-24) to women over 45 years”
Of course, these days, having been bought out of administration by the omnipresent private equity company Sun European, it’s no longer quite so large. But just what was the demographic of the 6,000 shoppers in the Verdict survey to produce such a result?
The annual poll of 6,000 consumers looks at the retailers (online, as well as in-store) who provide what the customer wants, as well as service, quality, a wide range and good value. There may be many more retailers around, with a much greater reach, but they’re obviously not keeping their customers quite as satisfied as Bonmarché. Either that or the surveyed 6,000 are mostly more mature, curvier and thrifty women!
|
|
|
|
And Finally - Tommy & Kate |
| |
Posted At: 22 February 2012 13:00 PM
Related Categories: And Finally, General, Social Commentary |
| |
SnapShop hears that Tommy Hilfiger, the upmarket American brand, is attempting to secure increased sales through its British stockists with the lure of a trip to New York. This is a bonus in the true sense of the word; something extra, which can’t be earned just by doing your normal job.
However, we wonder how successful the sales will be, in the face of stiff competition from all the bright young things currently being paraded at London Fashion Week. Add to that the Duchess Effect, currently being felt by Orla Kiely, Whistles and Hobbs, and the indies such as Choice, Fallen Hero and Accent which stock the Hilfiger brand are going to have to go some to be the winning store, achieving the highest sell-through above 65%.
Then again, the beautiful Duchess would make tea cosies fly off the shelves if she wore one as a fashion accessory. The rest of us mere mortals should not assume the effect will rub off if the outfit’s the same. So, where’s my nearest Hilfiger stockist?
|
|
|
|
And finally - how to win friends, influence people and steal the market share |
| |
Posted At: 25 January 2012 16:48 PM
Related Categories: And Finally, Retail, Retailers |
| |
McDonalds, the bane of many parents’ lives, is sharpening its image. Having masqueraded under the guise of a restaurant* for some time, it is now being informative – calorie count on the menu (really, it’s best not to look) – and educational. With an initiative allegedly aimed at increasing literacy and creativity amongst children, McDonalds will be including the Mudpuddle Farm series of books from acclaimed author Michael Morpurgo, in with their Happy Meal.
This initiative is likely to see McDonalds give away 9 million books over the four week period. With sales of children’s books averaging around six and a half million over the same timeframe, McDonalds will, for a very short time, become the biggest retailer of children’s books
Undoubtedly, the fact that Morpurgo is also the author of Warhorse is completely lost on the marketing chaps at McDonalds, and their intentions are singularly altruistic, but we at SnapShop nevertheless give this the thumbs up for feeding the little ones’ minds.
*Although there is no mention of knife and fork in the dictionary definition, the origin of the word is “food that restores”. Hmmmm!
|
|
|
|
And Finally - Missing baskets, World’s most expensive pie and Loo of the Year Awards |
| |
Posted At: 15 December 2011 13:37 PM
Related Categories: And Finally, Social Commentary |
| |
Retail quirkies of the month include:
-
Half of the 300 baskets at Morrisons, in Aberystwyth, disappeared when the Welsh government imposed a 5p charge on carrier bags. The 5p charge for all single-use bags is aimed at reducing litter and avoiding unnecessary damage to the environment. Co-Operative confirmed that it had also lost a small number of baskets but there had not been a 'dramatic' loss
-
The world’s most expensive mince pie is on the display for a month at the Marvellous Mince Pie Manufactory in The Exchange shopping centre in Ilford. Valued at £3,000, the mince pie was made using traditional ingredients including the highest-grade platinum leaf, holy water from Lourdes to bind the pastry, vanilla beans and cinnamon from eastern spice markets, and ambergris sugar which is derived from sperm whale secretions – health & safety won’t be very happy with that!
-
Talking of the hospitality industry, JD Wetherspoon has been awarded for having the best toilets at the Loo of the Year Awards 2011 as well as being named the UK Trophy winner in the Corporate Provider category
|
|
|
|
And Finally - Is there no end? |
| |
Posted At: 17 November 2011 00:23 AM
Related Categories: And Finally, Retail, Retailers |
| |
Just when you thought Apple had reached its innovative limit, it has been announced that a new iOS app will allow customers to collect items in its stores 12 minutes after ordering them via their mobile.
So, imagine the scenario: You’re in a queue. Not at the bank; you do that online. Not at the Post Office; they no longer exist in your neighbourhood. Not at the supermarket; they deliver. Wherever, with minutes at your disposal, you download this latest app, decide you need an iPod/Pad/Parsnip (sorry, the virtual vegetable has not actually been invented yet) and order away.
Let’s cut to the chase, literally, you have 12 minutes to leave your queue, jump back in your car (they may not have realised yet, but unlike Tesco, Apple do not have a store in every postcode sector), find somewhere to park and screech into the Apple Store.
Then you decide you don’t like it, it’s not your colour.
We wonder if the innovators at Apple are struggling without their leader? The telling points are:
- The app effectively allows consumers to undertake the transaction themselves and simply use the store as a pick-up point. (Apple techies no longer required, but a useful role for a Post Office)
- The service will only be available for products which are in-stock at the intended pick-up location. (If you’ve got to be there in 12 minutes and you can only have what they’ve got in stock, why not just go there and browse anyway. At least you won’t plump for something in the wrong colour.
SnapShop Verdict = unimpressive
The next app will be, of course, one that allows you to order something you don’t yet know you want. Actually, Apple have mastered that already!
|
|
|
|
And Finally - Calling all chocoholics: Thorntons unveils world’s largest chocolate |
| |
Posted At: 20 October 2011 11:00 AM
Related Categories: And Finally, Retail, Retailers |
| |
After the chocolatier Thorntons unveiled the world's largest chocolate bar to mark its 100th birthday , the SnapShop team provides an invaluable service to all chocolate lovers by recording the sweet statistics of this bar.
Quick Facts:
• The world’s biggest chocolate bar was made in Derbyshire, weighs 6 tonne and measures 13 ft square
• It has beaten previous Guinness World Record of world’s biggest chocolate set by a Chicago chocolate maker
• The bar is equivalent to 75,000 Thorntons Chocolate Blocks
• The bar weighs the same as two elephants and is twice as tall as the average man
• On pouring day there were over 50 people involved pouring the chocolate into the mould and it took 10 hours to do it, then a further three days to cool off
• With 29 million calories, it’s not the greatest dieting aid
After its stint in the limelight, the giant bar was smashed up and sold in stores to raise money for charity. Even the most dedicated chocoholic would struggle to get their teeth into this monster bar – do you agree?
|
|
|
|
And Finally- Lego creates VW Camper |
| |
Posted At: 15 September 2011 13:44 PM
Related Categories: And Finally, Retail |
| |
Yearning for a Volkswagen Camper Van but can't afford the real thing? The iconic Camper Van, an icon of the sixties counter-culture and loved by hippies and surfers around the world, has been recreated as a LEGO® Exclusive model. The replica of the original 1962 VW Camper (also known as the 'Combi' or 'the hippie van') has been officially licensed by the German car manufacturer for the first time.
The model includes features like V shape colour split on the front and rounded roof. It also has an opening 'splittie' safari front window, opening doors and of course instantly recognisable pop-up roof.
Even the characteristic flat-four air-cooled VW boxer engine is squeezed in above the rear axle, exactly as in the original. Efforts have also been made to reproduce an interior that is as close to the original as possible. There’s a sink unit, a bench that folds down into a bed, a folding dinette table and an opening cupboard with a mirror.
The 10220 Volkswagen T1 Camper Van is on sale from October 1, 2011 via http://shop.lego.com/ or LEGO Brand Retail Stores. Going by the pictures, what do you think? Feel free to comment
|
|
|
|
The only way is preppy |
| |
Posted At: 18 August 2011 15:00 PM
Related Categories: And Finally, Retailers |
| |
Oh no! Reality TV seems to have upset the aspirations of Abercrombie & Fitch. With a tight control of its merchandising and awesome marketing – how many other brands in the UK can claim national recognition with only one store? – A&F are slightly upset that their image is being tarnished by a certain Mr Sorrentino – he of the rowdy, hard-partying cast of MTV reality show Jersey Shore.
Well aware of the power of symbolism, A&F don’t want to go the same way as Burberry (uniform of the chav a few years ago) and Adidas (what else does one wear whilst rioting?!) and are seeking to persuade Mr Sorrentino to change his wardrobe.
The BBC have reported that the company “are deeply concerned that Mr Sorrentino’s association with our brand could cause significant damage to our image”
With A&F pushing their price point even higher in the UK, it’s going to be a nightmare for them if the cast of TOWIE sign for the next series, then take in Burlington Gardens on their shopping spree. With Mr Sorrentino being offered a financial incentive to change his t-shirt, perhaps the TOWIE guys will see this as one way of supplementing their appearance fee!
|
|
|
|
And Finally - Something for the corner of your Shopping Centre… |
| |
Posted At: 21 July 2011 11:59 AM
Related Categories: And Finally, Retail, Social Commentary |
| |
With all available reporters either covering the News International shenanigans, or taking cover themselves, the stories for And Finally are a little thin on the ground this month
In times of a news drought, ordinarily we look across the pond for some American madness; what shocked us with this little treasure is that the invention hails from good old Blighty!
Concept Shed, based in Falmouth, has unveiled the ultimate in tacky mall machines. AutoWed is a novelty wedding machine offering a quick hitch, a couple of rings and a personalised certificate for just £1. This wonderful machine plays a specially composed intro version of the Wedding March, after which, customers can select their type of union from gay, straight, lesbian or best friend forever. A truly romantic robotic voice conducts the ceremony, before customers take their vows - pressing one button for "I do" and another for "Escape". Souvenirs from this experience are a wedding receipt and two plastic rings in egg-shaped capsules. Nice!
We were very pleased to hear from Concept Shed that they came up with the idea last year and built the unit especially for Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum in Detroit. That’s alright then!
|
|
|
|
And Finally - World's first floating ice cream van |
| |
Posted At: 16 June 2011 13:14 PM
Related Categories: And Finally, General, Media |
| |
Fancy an ice-cream while swimming or sailing or boating or surfing or, umm, jet skiing? The world's first amphibious ice cream van is touring Britain's waterways.
As per Daily Mail, HMS Flake 99, chimes Rod Stewart's We Are Sailing, was created to mark National Ice Cream Week, and highlight how vans are being driven off the roads by soaring fuel costs and council red tape which bans vans from housing estates, parks and outside schools because of concerns about noise pollution and childhood obesity.
It started off in Blackpool, made its way along the Thames and, after a tour of Britain's beaches, is due to sail across the Channel and on to the canals of Venice next year.
Want to see it? Click Here
|
|
|
|
Swimwear Launch by Sainsbury’s |
| |
Posted At: 04 May 2011 14:00 PM
Related Categories: And Finally, Retail Marketing, Retailers |
| |
We are beginning to witness some creative marketing strategies by retailers. Following on from Bare Shoppers discussed in And Finally last month, we now hear that Sainsbury’s has launched a daring campaign for its TU beachwear. Models showed commuters the new bikini collection today on London’s Westminster Bridge.
News was unveiled soon after it was revealed in new data from Kantar Worldpanel Fashion that TU is currently seventh largest by volume, behind Marks & Spencer, Primark, Asda, Tesco, Next and Matalan. It has a 3.3% share of clothing, footwear and accessories and is gunning to become one of top five clothing retailer.
Swimwear and kaftans are forecast to be big sellers for Sainsbury's, with the retailer already seeing over 100% sales uplift in the category, which has expanded this year to offer hundreds of styles at prices starting from just £5.00. The new multi-million pound womenswear campaign premieres on TV today.
With all these outstanding performances we are sure to face great difficulty in selecting winner of our FSP Marketer of Year Award.
|
|
|
|
And Finally - Bare shoppers turn heads… |
| |
Posted At: 26 April 2011 14:11 PM
Related Categories: And Finally, General |
| |
We know it has been quite warm lately but lady shoppers at Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex seem to have taken it too far by turning up wearing only their undies and high heels.
The promotion at the Lakeside Shopping Centre, in Thurrock, was staged to launch the centre's spring fashion range. The first 100 girls who turned up wearing only their underwear and a pair of high heels won a £100 gift card... to spend on clothes, perhaps!
All entrants had to be over the age of 18 and had to have their photo taken as part of Lakeside's 'flash of fashion'.
As we are now entering the challenging period where the UK retail market is both advanced and intensively competitive, we, at SnapShop, must admit we like a unique idea for the launch of fashion range.
Being good will no longer be good enough to generate sales – retailers do need some creative thinking…what do you think?
|
|
|
|
And Finally - Cupcake rage - woman wrecks the shop |
| |
Posted At: 24 March 2011 12:00 PM
Related Categories: And Finally, Social Commentary |
| |
From cupcakes to burgers, customers are smashing restaurant staff when the service or food is not what they expect.
Police are examining CCTV footage to trace a woman who smashed a cup cake shop and even attacked assistants after being told that there were no more 'sweet tooth fairy cakes'(which costs £2.20 a cupcake).
Shop owner Sally Dodd, 43, said: 'The woman went absolutely ballistic when she was told we didn't have the cupcake flavour she wanted. She didn't even wait for us to tell her that if she waited we could bake some fresh cupcakes for her.
According to Alliance Boots group CEO Andy Hornby delivering “genuinely legendary” customer service standards will be vital. While importance of customer service can’t be underestimated, is it justified to smash shop assistants for non-availability of an item?
On the similar note, how would you rate SnapShop as a product and our customer service? Please feel free to comment.
|
|
|
|
And Finally - Turn your iphone into 80’s brick ! |
| |
Posted At: 18 February 2011 11:50 AM
Related Categories: And Finally |
| |
With a new gadget launched by a British company you can now turn your iPhone (sleekest of gadgets available in the market) into an old-style 'brick' mobile phone beloved by executives of the 1980s.
It is a simple case, into which the iPhone slots, turns the slimline smart phone into a huge gadget, which will not fit into a glove compartment, let alone a trouser pocket.
The case, which costs £12.99, has been developed by Thumbs Up, hoping to take advantage of 1980s nostalgia.
A company spokesman said: "By today's standards, you'd be forgiven for mistaking a 1980s mobile phone for, well, a house brick, but back in the day these chunky must-haves were the ultimate status symbol.
"Simply slot your iPhone into the custom-made holder and capture the look and feel of the 1980s 'house brick' without losing any of your 21st-century specs!"
The case will be available from April and fits an iPhone 3, 3GS and 4.
|
|
|
|
And Finally - John Lewis staff teach police politeness |
| |
Posted At: 25 January 2011 00:43 AM
Related Categories: And Finally, Retailers |
| |
Following a survey which revealed that some police officers answer mobiles while talking to people or had inapt ringtones, officers are being sent to a John Lewis department store - to learn how to be polite to the public.
Superintendent Nadeem Butt from Greater Manchester Police came up with the idea to ask the store for help because their staff are so polite. He said: "The main thing is that John Lewis treats customer service as a skill. You could be the best salesperson in the country but you still have to have regular training."
Officers from Supt Butt's force will receive their politeness training from the John Lewis store in Cheadle, Greater Manchester. They will be trained to be more professional and considerate when dealing with victims of crime and witnesses. They are being taught to spend more time listening to people, to keep victims updated on the progress of inquiries.
|
|
|
|
And Finally - Snowman Stolen by Naughty Kids, police help!! |
| |
Posted At: 16 December 2010 14:46 PM
Related Categories: And Finally |
| |
While weather stranded hundreds of us, bringing motorways to a standstill, one female caller reported that her snowman has been stolen. During her call she mentioned someone nicked it - who could it be…….?????…….perhaps it can be the work of naughty kids Josh and Beth.
In recent light hearted, amusing study by School Stickers. Children named Beth and Josh are likely to be the least well behaved, and at the top of the naughty list. The study, by School Stickers, analysed good behaviour and achievement stickers awarded to 57,000 pupils online throughout the UK.
These kids better behave for few weeks or risk incurring Santa's wrath.
On a serious note, police were not amused by the nature of complaint… were you??
We would love to hear your comments…
|
|
|
|
|