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Retail workers face money challenges at alarming rate

31 May 2023

A report published by financial institution Claro Money’s wellbeing division on the effects of money worries for retail workers found that 73% of retail workers feel negatively about their... Read more…

Federation of Independent Retailers says more needed to be done to support smaller businesses in Wales

24 May 2023

Whilst it has welcomed some elements of the Welsh Retail Action plan, the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) said more is needed to be done to support smaller businesses.
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Nearly half of customer service staff consider quitting over growing customer abuse

22 May 2023

More than two-fifths (44%) of customer service staff are considering leaving their roles due to increasing levels of cost-of-living fuelled abuse from customers.
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Friendliest high-street businesses include hairdressers and coffee shops, reports new study

22 May 2023

More than half of Britons (55%) say they have received helpful life advice from a local small business owner, new research reports.
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Mixed picture emerging about Coronation effect on retail

9 May 2023

A mixed picture is emerging about the effect of the Coronation weekend across the UK's retail sector.
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Nominations open for British Business Awards 2023

9 May 2023

Nominations have opened for the 2023 British Business Awards.
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Independent retailers look to loyalty schemes to keep up with supermarkets

9 May 2023

Independent retailers are racing to keep up with rivals and retain customers as the battle for loyalty intensifies among supermarkets.
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Government urged to reinstate Tax Free shopping with UK Retailers missing out as sales surge across Europe

9 May 2023

The European retail sector has enjoyed its best month for international spending on Tax Free goods since the end of the pandemic after sales surged by 40% month on month in March 2023, taking... Read more…

Consumers feel protective of independent shops and want to support them for their ‘social good’

27 Apr 2023

New research has found that consumers feel protective of independent shops and want to support them for their ‘social good’.
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Worldwide retailers seeking new ways to attract shoppers as spending slows

26 Apr 2023

Europe's cost of living crisis has benefited discount retailers, but mid-market names are being squeezed as shoppers watch their spending, executives and analysts at an industry conference said... Read more…

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Sector expertise and user experience counts when it comes to retail finance

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

With retail finance schemes remaining a preferable route for retailers to boost sales during recession than the financial hit required by heavy product discounting, the Association of Cycle Traders, the UK’s largest cycle trade association, is urging retailers to be savvy in their choice of retail finance partner to ensure that they get the best deal for their business as well as their customers.

online shopping hand

“We all know that household budgets are under increasing pressure, and many consumers who want to purchase will be looking for the opportunity to spread the cost rather than outlay a lump sum payment,” says Jonathan Harrison from the ACT.

“On the high street all retailers are competing for consumer spend and the demand for finance options is at record levels as it always is in similar economic conditions. It’s easy to be seduced by headline numbers and big financial brand names but there’s more to it than that.”

Retailers, Harrison says, should look for the finance package that represents the best value for their business – which finance partner understands the cycling sector best, which offers optimum acceptance rates, the most efficient integration and onboarding process and is trusted by their customers.

The ACT’s 13-year partnership with V12 Retail Finance currently enables over 400 retailers to take advantage of a market-leading range of finance products, with competitive rates, high levels of service and proven sales results.

The company specialises in financing all types of bicycles and can encompass the whole consumer purchase including accessory add-ons purchases. ACT and V12 work in partnership to provide the only cycle industry-specific scheme in the UK.

“We remain convinced that retail finance is the best option to help retailers and brands to move the overstocks and commitments resulting from the market buoyancy during the busy peaks of Covid, without damaging retail price points and brand values,” continued Harrison.

“We are confident that V12 is at the forefront for bringing retail finance technology to market quickly and efficiently, with features that improve security, continuity and ease of operation for both the retailer and the customer,” said Eleanor Richards, marketing and communications manager at V12 Retail Finance.

V12’s system stability coupled with their innovative online journey and customer recognition, eases the purchase process for the customer and retailer. V12 recognises the importance of online customer experience which is why they are the number one provider for retail finance in the cycle sector in the UK.

They are trusted by their customers, evidenced by their 4.9/5 Trustpilot score, and they are part of the only bank in Britain to achieve a Customer Service Excellence award, meaning both customers and retailers are in safe hands.
So, what does this mean for cycle retailers?

“Cyclists like to keep up with the latest models and often go back to their favourite independent retailer every couple of years to purchase their next bike, increasingly so from the experience seen in lockdown and very often on finance,” said Harrison.

“Coupled with the already popular V12 finance calculator, not only can you understand your customer’s budget to let them make an informed decision in paying for their perfect bike, but the new application form will guide them more efficiently through their finance application in no time at all.”

V12 has also made system integration more widely available. “We have all seen the ever-increasing importance of online retailing and those retailers without an online presence may have missed out on hard to come by sales.

V12 integration is market-leading and if you are unsure about the benefits and even the knowhow on how to quickly set up a transactional website then you need to speak to us at ACT or the team of experts at V12,” Harrison concluded.

The ACT encourages retailers to take ACT’s Retail Finance Training, an online learning course delivering an informed insight into retail finance that can be completed anywhere, any time.

The course, coupled with in person training retailers receive from V12, will educate your staff how to effectively promote retail finance, encouraging customers to maximise their spending through techniques such as financial promotion, Point of Sale (POS) and bundling.

This is invaluable for retailers with surveys showing that consumers are more likely to spend more if retail finance is sold correctly, and increasingly, for many customers, having the option to spread the cost is the main reason a purchase is made.

ACT Members can access a retail finance course from £75, just see: indieretail.training

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