Apparently many of you have fallen foul of rogue traders whilst buying your Book Tokens online and your Theatre Tokens online during November and December 2008.
It seems that the problems you have encountered ranged from internet sellers misleading consumers into believing they were buying genuine Official Theatre Tokens and then being sent an inferior theatre voucher, through to internet sellers with misleading adverts for National Book Tokens that claimed 'free next day delivery' but their service did not actually provide this and indeed many of you have reported to us that you did not receive your Book Tokens at all.
If you have been so unfortunate, after being tempted to buy your gift vouchers from any such rogue trader, then we may now be able to assist.
A helpline has been set up by us until March 1st 2009 and we invite you to call the following number: 07835 150 354.
The 'governing body' for both these nationwide voucher schemes are already aware of the issues outlined above (plus others) and it is our intention to help you to speak with the correct person relating to your particular issue, by publishing and making available this unique telephone helpline number until the end of next month.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Woolworths Today - Waterstones Tomorrow?
Waterstone's total sales fell to £235.1m over its half-year to 25th October from £244.5m a year earlier, representing a like-for-like sales decline of 3.1% (1.4% decline after adjusting for the prior year release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows). HMV said this reflected a very challenging book market, which contracted by over 5% in the period, impacted particularly by poor performance in the non-fiction category.
The book chain's operating loss rose to £9.3m, compared with £8.9m a year earlier, but this included a £1.5m year-on-year increase in costs from the 'BookHub' supply chain implementation. HMV said the the underlying improvement in the operating loss reflected a 60 basis point increase in gross margin (after adjusting for Harry Potter) and tight control of operating costs (which fell 1.2%), more than offsetting the sales decline.
The HMV Group, owners of Waterstones generated a seasonal operating loss of £22.8m in the period (2007 £21.5m).
THATS THE WONDER OF WATERSTONES!
update 12th January 2009 :
Some 200 jobs are to be axed at Waterstone's as a result of new measures to cut costs at the books chain. Staff at the 303-outlet books specialist will be told this morning about the redundancies, as a three-month consultation period gets under way.
source :
Guardian.co.uk/waterstones
The book chain's operating loss rose to £9.3m, compared with £8.9m a year earlier, but this included a £1.5m year-on-year increase in costs from the 'BookHub' supply chain implementation. HMV said the the underlying improvement in the operating loss reflected a 60 basis point increase in gross margin (after adjusting for Harry Potter) and tight control of operating costs (which fell 1.2%), more than offsetting the sales decline.
The HMV Group, owners of Waterstones generated a seasonal operating loss of £22.8m in the period (2007 £21.5m).
THATS THE WONDER OF WATERSTONES!
update 12th January 2009 :
Some 200 jobs are to be axed at Waterstone's as a result of new measures to cut costs at the books chain. Staff at the 303-outlet books specialist will be told this morning about the redundancies, as a three-month consultation period gets under way.
source :
Guardian.co.uk/waterstones
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Shop Online With Confidence
UK Consumers Out-Shop US Consumers Online
With Christmas shopping season approaching, new research shows that UK shoppers are likely to be less discouraged by the economic downturn than their counterparts in the US. The average UK consumer will spend 40 percent more online than the average US consumer and make 24 percent more of their purchases online, according to a new study from Jupiter Research.
More details about this recent research can be found at: theretailbulletin.com/research
Buy vouchers for Christmas today at:
sendtoday.co.uk
With Christmas shopping season approaching, new research shows that UK shoppers are likely to be less discouraged by the economic downturn than their counterparts in the US. The average UK consumer will spend 40 percent more online than the average US consumer and make 24 percent more of their purchases online, according to a new study from Jupiter Research.
More details about this recent research can be found at: theretailbulletin.com/research
Buy vouchers for Christmas today at:
sendtoday.co.uk
Friday, October 17, 2008
Theatre Tokens Christmas Gift Pack
NOW AVAILABLE!
Why not treat your friends or loved ones this year to one of our Theatre Tokens Christmas gift packs - whilst stocks last:
This year's pack contains £70 of Theatre Tokens plus a £10 Superbreak gift voucher. Also included is the Theatre Tokens 2009 slimline diary - all very attractively boxed. Buy for the remarkable price of £75 sent post free to UK addresses. You can also pay to include more Theatre Tokens in the presentation box if required, plus we can personalise the package for you and send it direct to someone as a gift!
More details, plus the ordering link can be found at: send2day.com/theatrical_pack.htm
Why not treat your friends or loved ones this year to one of our Theatre Tokens Christmas gift packs - whilst stocks last:
This year's pack contains £70 of Theatre Tokens plus a £10 Superbreak gift voucher. Also included is the Theatre Tokens 2009 slimline diary - all very attractively boxed. Buy for the remarkable price of £75 sent post free to UK addresses. You can also pay to include more Theatre Tokens in the presentation box if required, plus we can personalise the package for you and send it direct to someone as a gift!
More details, plus the ordering link can be found at: send2day.com/theatrical_pack.htm
Saturday, September 06, 2008
WATERSTONES CONTINUES TO WANE
Waterstone's has seen a downturn in sales over the summer reflecting what it called a "weaker book market". The chain reported that like-for-like sales had dropped by 1.7% since its year-end on 26th April even when the effects of the last Harry Potter book are removed from the figures.
The figures, for the 18 weeks ended 30th August 2008, show like-for-like sales down by 4.3% when the first eight days sales of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which was released on 21 July 2007, are included in last year's figures. Total sales at the chain dropped by 5.9%. The group said that a "well-executed marketing strategy ensured that market share was maintained".
Waterstone's managing director Gerry Johnson told The Bookseller that footfall was quieter than last year: "It's not as strong as we have been but there are two contributing factors. The first is, as everybody knows, it's a tough market. Then there is Harry Potter - when you had a quarter of a million people outside of stores last year there was a clear halo effect. But I am really pleased with market share. We were maintaining it and are now growing it."
Johnson also lamented the lack of big titles: "We were clearly missing big titles in non-fiction this year - there was a lack of a God Delusion or Alistair Campbell." But he added: "Looking ahead we are in a great place with the reward card, we have a very very stong academic offer and there are good titles to come."
The figures, which are released by parent HMV Group, as part of its interim management statement, show the music chain, HMV, faring better, with like-for-like sales growth of 4.3% in HMV UK & Ireland, and HMV International's like-for-like sales growth of 2.9%. Overall the HMV Group saw like-for-like sales up 1.3%, or by 2.2% excluding Harry Potter. HMV chief executive Simon Fox said: "In what is, undoubtedly, a tough consumer environment, the solid start made by the group to the new financial year means that our plans are in line with the board's expectations, and I remain confident that our strategic initiatives are on track"
Taken From 'THE BOOKSELLER' Friday 5th September 2008
The figures, for the 18 weeks ended 30th August 2008, show like-for-like sales down by 4.3% when the first eight days sales of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which was released on 21 July 2007, are included in last year's figures. Total sales at the chain dropped by 5.9%. The group said that a "well-executed marketing strategy ensured that market share was maintained".
Waterstone's managing director Gerry Johnson told The Bookseller that footfall was quieter than last year: "It's not as strong as we have been but there are two contributing factors. The first is, as everybody knows, it's a tough market. Then there is Harry Potter - when you had a quarter of a million people outside of stores last year there was a clear halo effect. But I am really pleased with market share. We were maintaining it and are now growing it."
Johnson also lamented the lack of big titles: "We were clearly missing big titles in non-fiction this year - there was a lack of a God Delusion or Alistair Campbell." But he added: "Looking ahead we are in a great place with the reward card, we have a very very stong academic offer and there are good titles to come."
The figures, which are released by parent HMV Group, as part of its interim management statement, show the music chain, HMV, faring better, with like-for-like sales growth of 4.3% in HMV UK & Ireland, and HMV International's like-for-like sales growth of 2.9%. Overall the HMV Group saw like-for-like sales up 1.3%, or by 2.2% excluding Harry Potter. HMV chief executive Simon Fox said: "In what is, undoubtedly, a tough consumer environment, the solid start made by the group to the new financial year means that our plans are in line with the board's expectations, and I remain confident that our strategic initiatives are on track"
Taken From 'THE BOOKSELLER' Friday 5th September 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Blackwell Decline Continues
Blackwell Retail Makes 30 Redundant :
Some 30 staff at academic bookseller Blackwell have been made redundant following a store restructure. David Prescott, head of retail operations at the firm, said the staff came from a number of shops and held “varying roles and responsibilities”.
New shop structures have now been rolled-out across the chain. Prescott said the job losses were part of “the ongoing turnround plan” for Blackwell Retail, which earlier this year announced a loss of £7.6m for the year ended June 2007 and warned it would not make a profit in the next financial year.
“Our shop structures were felt to be very inconsistent, did not allow us to match sales patterns and did not allow adequate flexibility,” said Prescott. “We had inconsistent roles throughout the chain and this therefore made succession planning difficult and too cost-heavy. As such it made it difficult to manage our productivity and performance.”
Prescott said the changes resulting from the store review had allowed Blackwell to give the managers of each shop “greater control of their payroll management and localised trading patterns”. He added: “These decisions have been taken at a local level and will help to ensure that shops are able to meet their local customers’ needs.” Consultation was ongoing with a small number of people, the company added.
Some 30 staff at academic bookseller Blackwell have been made redundant following a store restructure. David Prescott, head of retail operations at the firm, said the staff came from a number of shops and held “varying roles and responsibilities”.
New shop structures have now been rolled-out across the chain. Prescott said the job losses were part of “the ongoing turnround plan” for Blackwell Retail, which earlier this year announced a loss of £7.6m for the year ended June 2007 and warned it would not make a profit in the next financial year.
“Our shop structures were felt to be very inconsistent, did not allow us to match sales patterns and did not allow adequate flexibility,” said Prescott. “We had inconsistent roles throughout the chain and this therefore made succession planning difficult and too cost-heavy. As such it made it difficult to manage our productivity and performance.”
Prescott said the changes resulting from the store review had allowed Blackwell to give the managers of each shop “greater control of their payroll management and localised trading patterns”. He added: “These decisions have been taken at a local level and will help to ensure that shops are able to meet their local customers’ needs.” Consultation was ongoing with a small number of people, the company added.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
FEATURED CHARITY - The Hinge
The Hinge Centre which is based in Goole, is expanding its service provision to Bridlington by setting up a separate centre.
They soon will need more volunteer helpers to assist with craft, cooking and basic life skill session delivery, people who will be able to spare a few hours a week staffing the new reception and dealing with duty referrals from young people.
The new Hinge Centre will open its doors in Autumn 2008 with a celebration event in order to officially launch this service provision. It will be a themed day incorporating a BBQ, Buffet and Open Day for all residents of Bridlington. We have already received confirmation that the local press will be attending together with representatives of East Riding Council Regeneration Team.
Anyone who can kindly contributes to the centre will be formally recognised within the local media and it is also our intention to have a plaque prepared giving details of all who made donations both financially and in kind to the centre.
Please contact: Martin Crossland - Strategic Development Manager
Telephone: 01405 765435
Mobile: 0779 368 0821
or email: martin@thehinge.org.uk
The Hinge is a unique project that offers holistic services in an anti-oppressive environment to young people with Advice, Information and Support, now also to all people, who are vulnerably accommodated. The organisation also provides ongoing support to young people living independently, in the form of resettlement workshops including independent life skills (i.e. how to budget, shop, cook, bake, clean, wash & iron and also assistance with personal hygiene). Their educational needs are also met with training, to help with basic literacy and numeracy and basic First Aid, Health & Safety and Health & Hygiene and WEA Standing up for Your Rights courses taking place within the centre.
All of the people who use the services at The Hinge Centres are disadvantaged in at least one or more ways. The identified issues mainly involve homelessness, relationship breakdown, overcrowding in the family home, lack of positive parental guidance, difficult childhood experiences, neglect, abuse, self-harm, poverty, isolation, prostitution, single teenage pregnancy or single parents, literacy difficulties, unemployment, low incomes, mental health issues, learning disabilities, experience of drug and alcohol misuse among many other issues. All the young people who access our service have experienced a lesser quality of life than what would be considered equal or relative to that of others.
HINGE CENTRE BRIDLINGTON OPENING VERY SOON - YOUR HELP & SUPPORT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED
They soon will need more volunteer helpers to assist with craft, cooking and basic life skill session delivery, people who will be able to spare a few hours a week staffing the new reception and dealing with duty referrals from young people.
The new Hinge Centre will open its doors in Autumn 2008 with a celebration event in order to officially launch this service provision. It will be a themed day incorporating a BBQ, Buffet and Open Day for all residents of Bridlington. We have already received confirmation that the local press will be attending together with representatives of East Riding Council Regeneration Team.
Anyone who can kindly contributes to the centre will be formally recognised within the local media and it is also our intention to have a plaque prepared giving details of all who made donations both financially and in kind to the centre.
Please contact: Martin Crossland - Strategic Development Manager
Telephone: 01405 765435
Mobile: 0779 368 0821
or email: martin@thehinge.org.uk
The Hinge is a unique project that offers holistic services in an anti-oppressive environment to young people with Advice, Information and Support, now also to all people, who are vulnerably accommodated. The organisation also provides ongoing support to young people living independently, in the form of resettlement workshops including independent life skills (i.e. how to budget, shop, cook, bake, clean, wash & iron and also assistance with personal hygiene). Their educational needs are also met with training, to help with basic literacy and numeracy and basic First Aid, Health & Safety and Health & Hygiene and WEA Standing up for Your Rights courses taking place within the centre.
All of the people who use the services at The Hinge Centres are disadvantaged in at least one or more ways. The identified issues mainly involve homelessness, relationship breakdown, overcrowding in the family home, lack of positive parental guidance, difficult childhood experiences, neglect, abuse, self-harm, poverty, isolation, prostitution, single teenage pregnancy or single parents, literacy difficulties, unemployment, low incomes, mental health issues, learning disabilities, experience of drug and alcohol misuse among many other issues. All the young people who access our service have experienced a lesser quality of life than what would be considered equal or relative to that of others.
HINGE CENTRE BRIDLINGTON OPENING VERY SOON - YOUR HELP & SUPPORT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)