FSP Retail Blog

FSP values reflected in new board appointment

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Today we report that our Board of Directors has been strengthened with Ken Gunn joining, a year after moving from CACI to FSP.  Ken’s appointment will enhance our already excellent top team and help to grow our business.  At FSP we are, however, all fully aware that it’s the team effort that makes us not only an excellent company to work for, but also excellent to do business with.

Today we received praise from two of our SnapShop clients:

“Thanks for the prompt action”

And

“I would like to thank you for your excellent customer service and client care”

As Ken points out in our press release, the way we work allows us to completely focus on resolving client issues.  Further to my Supermarket Sweep blog last week, we must be the Sainsbury’s of the Retail Business Consultancy world!

On The Up!

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I have never needed the fingers on any hand to count the number of unemployed people I know.  There just weren’t any.  Undoubtedly environment was a huge factor.  Birds of a feather, etc.  We’re all white collar, professional, management – all the boring boxes on any census or survey, and nothing that would add substantially to our life assurance premiums.  Now I need more than one hand to count my unemployed friends, and all are the type who won’t register on the government’s statistics as they’re living on their past earnings and anyway, surely something’s just around the corner?

Well, maybe it is

A look at the national statistics paints a black picture, but has done for some time.  The general decline in value of retail sales (with the only positive effect probably caused by our parliamentary members ensuring they utilise their expense account!), house prices and, well, most things, including our savings and income, can be neatly summarised in the GfK NOP Consumer Confidence survey

But look! There seems to be an upward trend once again (three months counts as a trend, doesn’t it?).  The pollsters attribute it to the feel good effect of some decent weather, but are keen to point out that questions were asked before the budget announcement.

However, I wouldn’t be surprised if the upward trend continues.  The future’s bright: the newly unemployed do not wish to be, summer’s coming (long and hot) and bath plugs for all I say!

New Year, New Opportunities

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Firstly, as is customary at this time, I'd like to wish you all a Happy New Year.  Sadly for some, currently this year is far from happy.  I'm thinking about Woolworths staff, who really are out of a job, along with many involved in retail property, as well as USC/Officers Club/Whittards staff who might have thought they were out of a job, but due to the wonders of pre-pack administration, actually find life will probably go on much as before.  Hopefully, in the "cup is half-full" view, the start of this year is just the start of something new; a chance to make some life changes which may have been long overdue.

For the rest of us, without such an opportunity, life goes on.  Again, as is customary at this time, the retailers start telling us how well or how badly they have done over the Christmas period.  It will be interesting to see what rationale John Lewis will dream up this time for their results - we've heard them all before!

SnapShop members will automatically receive our Christmas Sales report, updated regularly throughout January.  If you don't want to miss out, check out our membership terms or call the SnapShop team on 01494 474740

FSP Uses A Little Magic To Promote SnapShop

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Chances are, if you were at BCSC08 in Liverpool, you will have noticed our magician, Richard Pinner, drawing the crowds.  With sleight of hand producing "hares" on your shoulder and packs of cards out of thin air, you will have been entertained and amazed if you had stopped at the SnapShop stand.  Richard, a member of the Magic Circle, also gave expert tuition on how to perform the SnapShop two card trick, which you could take away to wow your friends and family.  If you missed out and would like one of our SnapShop tricks, please contact the SnapShop team and they will gladly send you one.

It wasn't all wide eyed awe at the magic being performed; FSP directors and staff were on hand to demonstrate the power of SnapShop in providing a one-stop solution to retail intelligence needs.  You can see for yourself with our online demo, or call us on 01494 474740 for more information.

BCSC delegates are reminded that the special offer on Full SnapShop Membership is valid until 26 November.  Contact us for more information.

 

SnapShop and FSP will be at BCSC next week!

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The British Council of Shopping Centres are holding their annual “Conference and Showcase” at the ACC in Liverpool this year, and SnapShop are very pleased to announce their position on arena stand 30!

The BCSC Conference and Showcase has been running for over 25 years now and provides a platform for key names in retail property to get together and do business.

Exhibiters include retailers, shopping centre owners/developers, architects/designers, property agents, consultants and local authorities, and the event runs from Monday 10th to Wednesday 12th November.

SnapShop and FSP will be represented by FSP Managing Director Geoff Nicholson, FSP Directors Jo Hewson and John Fell, Senior Consultant Ken Gunn, Analyst Manager Domenica Scordo and of course, SnapShop Manager Heidi Roberts.

Come along and see us at Stand 30 in the arena and please feel free to bring along some interested friends, too!

We’ll be positioned next to Unibox, Hammerson, The Mall Ltd Partnership, Capital Shopping Centres PLC, Centros and SDD Retail right next to the catering area, and our stand should look something like this…

We hope to see you there.

The New Retailing Landscape

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FSP on BBC Radio 4!

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FSP Managing Director Geoff Nicholson graced the airwaves yet again with another appearance on BBC Radio 4 yesterday morning.

Speaking on the Today show, Geoff and presenter Simon Jack discussed the news that Iceland founder Malcolm Walker is heading a consortium that has tabled a takeover bid for variety store, Woolworths.

With the high street the way it is and Woolworths’ sales results consistently on a downturn, Geoff speculated that the interest from Walker may be personal (Walker was fired from Woolworths in 1971 after it was discovered he had been moonlighting to set up what is now Iceland) and discussed the intentions of the investment group’s approach.

You can listen to the complete show here, and we’ll do our very best to keep you informed on Geoff’s future appearances!

The Today show reaches over 6 million listeners every week and is BBC Radio 4’s most popular show. It is a topical early morning news and current affairs show, aired between 6am to 9am weekdays, and Saturdays 7am to 9am.

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