Primark deny claims they are looking into an ecommerce solution

Just hours after it was announced that Primark would be launching an ecommerce store and the claims are quashed. Much too avid Primarni shoppers’ disappointment!

Marketing Magazine reported the budget retailer had put in a tender for a digital agency to build their first transactional website, only to add later that a Primark spokesman had denied the claims.

Primark has made its name as a high street favourite but is one of few retailers to shun online. And there is a good reason for that. As a value retailer Primark would have to sell lots more than its rivals, so an ecommerce solution may not be
financially viable.

But are Primark missing a trick?  Sarah Peters, lead analyst at Verdict Research thinks so.

‘It’s a growth sector – there are people that can’t get to Primark stores and some may be put off because the stores get so busy at the weekend. It can also open doors internationally, if you look at what retailers
such as ASOS and Next have done.’

Watch this space, we may see an ecommerce shop soon!

Along with exclusive offers and one off collections from a wide range of retailers, during the online event you’ll also have access to styling advice and brand new content. What’s more it’s all in the aid of charity; Vogue’s last online event in November 2010 raised over £40,000 for charity and Vogue are hopeful the 5 day Fashion Week event will raise bucket loads.

The event starts from 9am on December 5 to 6pm on December 9.

For the last few years online shopping has snatched sales from the high-street but Philip Clarke Tesco chief executive has said that it’s possible for both channels to thrive if a multichannel approach is adopted. Speaking at the British Retail Consortium Conference the newly appointed Clarke said that ecommerce sites are now an essential part of a businesses’ arsenal and that the cross platform approach is the key to the future.

Tesco, who are the third biggest online retailer, recently announced they are expanding its click and collect service to include grocery and fashion products. From July online shoppers will be able to collect their food and clothes buys from their local store. Tesco plan to make the service available at 600 stores across the country before the end of the year.

Transport ministers think they have the perfect solution though, and have announced a new initiative designed to ease motorway tailbacks following an accident. Three million is being spent on laser scanners, worth £250,000 each, that can take measurements instantly. It’s expected that these high tech scanners will reduce road closures by 39 minutes as opposed to taking measurements with a tape measure.This is the first of many new initatives planned.  The new devices will be given to Police forces across the country, so driving your new Peugeot in Sunderland you might find that traffic jam just a bit more bearable!

The new in car health system could be used to give drivers who suffer with medical disorders a daily reminder of their wellbeing or help to detect medical conditions in other drivers who may not be aware they are not well. It’s a possibility that the data could be passed on electronically to medical experts who could analyse the data and keep up to date on a patients’ condition. It’s even been suggested that the clever seats could be used to prevent accidents by connecting with the cars safety systems to slow down or stop the car if the driver is having a heart attack.

The developers of the technology have said that accurate readings can be expected 98% of the time. The seats are still at research stage so don’t expect to see the technology available in a Ford KA in London anytime soon.

Motorists across the UK who don’t have insurance will be sent a letter over the coming month warning them they may be fined £100 if they don’t insure their car. That seems a small price to pay considering insurance for a Ford Mondeo in London costs significantly more, however under the new law, which comes in force from 20^th June, owners of vehicles that remain uninsured will face court action.

I am not convinced this will deter uninsured drivers since they do not seem concerned about whether their conduct is lawful anyway. Only time will tell if the new law will make a difference.

When you click through you arrive on a page that encourages you to sign up with the lure of sneak previews and exclusive competitions.

Generally all advertising works on the same basis- appealing to your subconscious making you want something you don’t necessarily need. The premise of the campaign is transparent but the fact we are talking about it means Mini is on our minds! It’s also refreshing to see a car ad that doesn’t feature a car, well so to speak.

To be honest though it just made we want toast more than a Mini in Scotland…..

Fashion Scout

Vauxhall Fashion Scout is London Fashion Weeks largest independent showcase, promoting both new and talented designers to an highly influential international audience of media, buyers, celebrities and style leaders. Described as a ‘talent goldmine’ by Vogue.com, Vauxhall Motors fashion showcase is credited with launching the career of a number of talented fashion designers including William Tempest and David Koma.

Student Placements

Vauxhall Motors offers one of the best student placement schemes in the country, with several hundred students applying for one of the 90 places each year. The student placement scheme has been shortlisted for a National Council for Work Experience (NCWE) Award 2011. The placements involve an intensive year of training at Vauxhall, which allow students to gain experience in all departments of the business. Many students go on to achieve outstanding grades, Vauxhall’s Managing Director even started his career as a placement student.

Charity Fundraising

Vauxhall Motors have raised over £100,000 for Help for Heroes, the charity which supports British servicemen and women. The VXR Power festival was just one of the events which helped the British automaker raise money for the charity.

Vauxhall Motors Employee Charity Fund was set up in 1974 to help the local community. Money raised by the charity has gone to help the Hospice of the Good Shepherd and the Chester & District Federation of the Blind, where the money went to help fit a new shop, amongst others. Employees from your local Vauxhall dealer in Edinburgh and across the company hold a number of events throughout the year.

Vauxhall Motors FC

The Vauxhall Motors football club was founded in 1963 by former West Bromwich Albion player Fred Ward, shortly after the new Vauxhall plant was opened in Ellesmere Port. Originally started as an employee team, Vauxhall Motors FC went on to beat Queens Park Rangers in their first FA Cup match and have since had their fair share of ups and downs!

Two years ago a litre of petrol cost around 86.6 pence but now the average cost of a litre is 128.3p! With my maths brain on that’s in increase of 68%! It’s no wonder that people are trying to eke out every last drop of petrol before refuelling!

The poll also found that over 30% of drivers have cut down on the amount they use their car to offset the rising price of fuel.

Dan Robinson, head of Green Flag, said: “For most, driving is a necessity rather than a choice and, despite government speculation about stability, high fuel prices are here to stay, placing pressure on the motorist’s pocket.”

Oil price volatility and above inflation fuel duty increases have been to blame, but do we really need another 1p hike in fuel duty in April? It doesn’t help that energy giant Shell are bragging that they made £1.6m an hour over the last three months! Since you are rolling in it, how about you give back something to us struggling motorists?

Whilst I don’t drive a BMW in Aberdeen I have been feeling the pinch, this morning I was nearly one of those 48% of drivers polled by Green Flag who are dangerously close to empty!

Scientists have found that chocolate contains more plant compounds, gram-for-gram, than many fruit juices. But I won’t be reaching for that Cadburys just yet, the health benefits only apply to dark chocolate and cocoa, and only if it’s not heated. No hot cocoa then.

The study was conducted by chocolate supplier Hershey Co so is perhaps a little misleading. They are however considering classing Cacao seeds (or cocoa beans to you and me) as a ‘superfruit’, since they contain more antioxidants and flavanols than fruit. I’ll be choosing dark chocolate over an apple from my local fruit supplier when I next fancy something sweet then!