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Retailers react to disposable vape ban.

5 Feb 2024

The retail sector has been responding to government plans to ban disposable vapes as part of plans to tackle the rise in youth vaping.
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UK’s indie food retailers to be recognised in the Farm Shop and Deli Retailer Awards 2024.

23 Jan 2024

Bakers, butchers, cheesemongers, delicatessens, fishmongers, greengrocers, village stores and small farm shops from around the UK have been shortlisted in the Farm Shop and Deli Retailer Awards... Read more…

How Independent Retailers Can Stand Out in A Crowded Market

23 Jan 2024

An interesting article has appeared in Forbes reflecting many of the issues that Indie Retail & ActSmart members will be experiencing – the challenges and... Read more…

Eight in Ten Small Businesses Taking Positive Steps to Strengthen Their Enterprises in 2024

22 Jan 2024

Eight in ten small business owners (81%) are planning to develop their companies in 2024, according to new research from Novuna Business Finance. The research shows that over a third (33%) are... Read more…

The Times names 12 of the UK’s best independent bookshops — as chosen by its readers.

22 Jan 2024

The Times has named 12 of the UK’s best independent bookshops — as chosen by its readers. Readers highlighted places that combined books with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.... Read more…

Bira Launches Second Annual Campaign for Valentine's Day - #LoveYourHighStreet

22 Jan 2024

The British Independent Retailers Association is championing the high street again this Valentine's Day for the second consecutive year with its #LoveYourHighStreet campaign.
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Family-run shop in Lanarkshire village scoops community retailer award for second year running.

10 Jan 2024

Nads Store, a family-run shop in Law, Lanarkshire, has been named Community Retailer of the Year at the Scottish Asian and Business Awards ceremony for the second year running.
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Bira urges vigilance against loan fee fraud following FCA guidance.

10 Jan 2024

In the face of the escalating threat of loan fee fraud, the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is urging its members to heed the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) recent guidance... Read more…

Canal boat record store Rubber Ducky Records is back afloat.

9 Jan 2024

Canal boat record store Rubber Ducky Records is back on the water after it sank last April, ruining over 1,000 vinyl records and a stow of music equipment stored on... Read more…

New research shows UK retail sector powered by entrepreneurs and start-ups

9 Jan 2024

While mass-market players continue to dominate the UK retail industry, research by Geek Retreat shows that 15% of Brits have set up their own business in the past ten years, and of these,... Read more…

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Choosing a finance provider, avoid the pitfalls #2

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

Avoid the pitfalls #2

Following an increase of incoming calls querying finance providers in the cycles market, the ACT are publishing a mini-series to answer the trade's questions.

This second piece in the series explores some of the claims used by a number of finance providers to get more dealers on board and why the unique partnership between V12 Retail Finance and the ACT is so beneficial for retailers.

Advice when you need it

Finance providers are not allowed to provide direct training on how to maximise finance. This is where the ACT can help - enabling you to get the most out of your Ride it away account by providing bespoke training based on your individual requirements.

  • The importance of empowering staff
  • When to introduce finance in your sales process
  • Online integration
  • How to maximise your margins using different finance offerings
  • Upsell, upsell, upsell
  • Bundling products

Contact the ACT now to arrange your training 01273 427 700

No fuss FCA authorisation

You do not need to have FCA authorisation to offer retail finance, but doing so might be better for your business and help protect margins.

The ACT provides a free, unique service other providers do not offer; to help decide if FCA authorisation is right for your business, to assist with getting authorised and helping you to complete your annual return - don't worry the return is only six questions!

Beware of any finance provider that insists you have FCA authorisation. These providers often let you advertise 0% finance to your customers before then signing them up to an APR based product; not exactly the customer journey you would like to be offering. Some even advertise a 0% buy-now-pay-later option that actually becomes a very expensive interest-bearing option if not settled in time. Make sure you give your customers the clarity and customer experience they deserve.

False promises

In a bid to entice retailers to sign up with them, some brokers and providers promise a guaranteed acceptance rate or to increase your current acceptance rate. At face value this sounds great, but it's important to question any provider who even suggests you could get 100% acceptance rate, there are simply always some people who will not qualify for credit!

Remember, reputable finance providers will only accept a customer who can afford it.

Part 3 in the series coming soon!

If you have any queries about the Ride it away scheme or want to arrange your bespoke training you can find out more here or call the ACT on 01273 427 700.

If you missed it, you can read part 1 here.

V12 are the leading provider of finance in the cycles sector, are the number one provider of online POS retail finance in the UK* and are widely accepted as having the ‘best' online integration solution; even by their competitors!

*based on finance and on 4 continuous quarters from FLA

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