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MedicAnimal buys PetSupermarket
Mark Berriman has sold Viverdi, the parent company of PetSupermarket.co.uk, to fellow pet supplies etailer MedicAnimal for an undisclosed sum. The sale was conducted in October 2011 but as part of the agreement, Berriman was required to remain with the business until April 2012. Viverdi was sold on a share purchase basis with Berriman retaining the intellectual property rights for the back-end technology along with Gifts2Drink, another business in the Viverdi group. He has agreed to provide ongoing support with the back-end technology to MedicAnimal.

Optimised As Live replaces The Department Store
The Broadcast House and CatEx DCA have announced the closure of The Department Store TV channel. In its place will be “Optimised As Live” testing, a new way of allowing companies to test teleshopping, with the new format enabling those interested in TV shopping to test every variable: product, promotion, price, broadcast platform (Sky, Virgin Media, Freeview), individual TV stations, day of week and day part. Included in the package are three hours of selling content, divided into five-minute slots for efficient optimisation. Companies will also be able to use a reformatted version of the TV content online for as long as they wish.

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Book now for the ECMOD Direct Commerce show 
If you’re looking to unlock the value of your customer data, get more out of your product photography, or need help choosing a new ecommerce platform, mark the 27th and 28th November in your diary to visit the ECMOD Direct Commerce Show. Preregister now for FREE fast-track access to these and many more specialist suppliers directly relevant to your business. In addition, the show will once again be co-located with US-based event Data Driven Business Week, bringing its international exhibitors to a UK audience. To find out more visit our website.  

Woseley divests Bathstore business
Wolseley has sold its Bathstore business to a newly incorporated company backed by turnaround specialist Endless for £15 million, payable over the next five years. Endless is investing £11 million into the bathrooms and accessories business to fund its further development. In the nine months to 30th April 2012, Bathstore generated revenues of £66 million.

Isabella Oliver 365 reborn as Baukjen
Following a decision to give it its own brand identity, Isabella Oliver is rebranding its nonmaternity womenswear collection from Isabella Oliver 365 to “Baukjen” from autumn/winter 2012. Founded by creative director, Baukjen de Swaan Arons, the 90-piece range will be available to purchase through the new Baukjen online store Baukjen.com from August 2012. 

Snow + Rock reports profits drop
Outdoor apparel and equipment specialist Snow + Rock has announced that EBITDA was down 13 percent from £8.6 million to £7.5 million with poor snow in the Alps being blamed for the decline in profits. However, the retailer saw total sales rise by 14 percent to £65 million in fiscal 2010/11.

Buyers circle Clinton Cards
Following its collapse into administration last week, it is understood Card Factory, WHSmith and American Greetings are all in the running to buy greetings-card chain Clinton Cards.

JML appoints new chief exec  
TV home shopping specialist JML has promoted current group managing director Ken Daly to chief executive officer, effective immediately. His remit covers all aspects of JML’s global operation including DRTV, retail distribution, online, catalogues, studio rental and distribution partnerships. In more appointment news, Mark Graas, managing director of JML’s Benelux operation, has joined the group’s board of directors. 
 
Disappointing performance at Superdry, Dixons ahead of expectations
“A disappointing end to a challenging year,” that’s the verdict from Supergroup chief executive Julian Dunkerton following the company’s lacklustre performance in the fourth quarter. Sales at Superdry’s owner grew 24.7 percent in the 13-week period to 29th April, but like-for-like sales were flat due to a slowdown in sales from standalone stores and concessions. At electricals chain Dixons, despite delivering flat underlying sales and a like-for-like decline of 3 percent for the full year, sales were ahead of expectations. Full year group underlying profit before tax is expected to be between £65 million and £70 million, towards the top end of expectations.

HMV partners with Ticketmaster
HMV has partnered with Ticketmaster to allow the multichannel retailer to broaden the range of events that it can offer its customers both online and in-store, where an initial 20 stores will feature an hmvtickets box office. Coming into effect over the next six to eight weeks, the move sees the service migrate to the Ticketmaster platform, but HMV will retain its hmvtickets team to support established relationships and develop new ones.

Stand and Deliver campaign launch urges consumers to know their rights
Money saving expert Martin Lewis has launched a campaign on ITV1’s Daybreak programme urging customers to know their rights when it comes to failed home deliveries. The “Stand and Deliver” campaign encourages consumers to take up any delivery issues with the retailer first and complain of inadequate service. 

Announcing the ECMOD Supplier of the Year Awards 2012 
Celebrating the best solutions providers in the sector, the ECMOD Direct Commerce Supplier of the Year Awards will this year be held at the Business Design Centre on 27th November, during the ECMOD Direct Commerce Show. These hugely popular awards recognise those suppliers who have been instrumental in their clients’ successes during the past 12 months, with past winners including Amethyst, EC2i, Citipost, More2, Abacus, Sanderson and many more… Each year, client companies are invited to nominate the suppliers that went the extra mile. Watch this space for more information about how you can nominate your favourite!

Sales surge at Hobbs
Apparel chain Hobbs delivered a 7 percent sales rise to £112.2 million in the year ending January 2012. The chain, owned by private equity firm 3i, also saw EBITDA increase to £15 million, a rise of almost 5 percent, according to published reports.

Experian to sell PriceGrabber  
Experian has agreed to sell PriceGrabber, its price comparison shopping business and North America online lead generation activities, which operate under the brands Classes USA and LowerMyBills, as the firm looks to focus on its credit information and analytics, digital marketing services and direct-to-consumer services. The buyer is Ybrant Digital, an India-based digital marketing services business, which paid $175 million.

Coty withdraws Avon bid
Coty has withdrawn its $10.7 billion bid for Avon after the deadline for the cosmetics marketer to respond to its offer had expired.

Best Buy founder resigns  
Richard Schultze, the founder of US-based electricals chain Best Buy, has resigned after it emerged that he had kept secret the fact that his chief executive was having "an extremely close personal relationship" with a female employee. Best Buy has elected Hatim Tyabji to succeed Schulze as chairman.




Going global with multilingual search engine marketing
Amid a bleak economic climate, organisations previously reliant on domestic trade alone are being forced to look abroad for new sources of revenue. But for online businesses with the right strategy, attracting trade from foreign markets need not be as hard as it seems. Read more here…     

Coming up in Direct Commerce

In the June issue: a special focus on marketing and customer loyalty as well as our annual Technology supplement featuring a roundup of ecommerce platforms and order management systems.

In the July issue: a refresher on tried and tested recruitment tactics as well as new customer acquisition techniques plus our NEW Direct Logistics supplement.

You won’t want to miss it! Subscribe now and for just £65 you will receive a year’s worth of issues plus exclusive access to subscriber-only content on our website. Call 01271 866112 or email subs@catalog-biz.com to start your subscription today.
To advertise in the print edition of Direct Commerce or on the www.catalog-biz.com website, contact the sales team on 01271 866112, or email sales@catalog-biz.com

 

We’re looking for an experienced Direct Marketing Executive that will shape the company’s direct marketing strategy and build effective customer response through segmented direct catalogue campaigns.

Candidates must have:
Previous experience in direct marketing and marketing communications
An understanding of Print & Production
A full comprehension of the end-to-end design and print process, from initial proofs to final printed artwork
Experience of press-passing and colour correction (preferable)
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal)
Excellent planning and numerical skills
The ability to work on own initiative

For a full job description or if you wish to apply, please email recruitment@regatta.com

Delivering Talented Applicants Every Week 
 
When you are seeking relevant applicants for that hard to fill vacancy & want ultra fast economic & qualified response – advertise here to reach more than 15,000 opted in sector executives  - up to 100 words plus your logo with click thru costs just £295 + vat per issue – or £395 + vat for the same ad running for 2 consecutive weeks. Call us on 01271-866112 or click here. 

MARKETING MANAGER, Middx. £40-45k
Our client is seeking an accomplished marketing manager with strong skills in email marketing, CRM, database segmentation who also has a creative approach when it comes to devising campaign themes which will deliver high ROI. Good copywriting, web analytics abilities and driven, the successful applicant will be used to maintaining high personal performance and achieving exceptional results. The role is in a dynamic fast growing award winning business where opportunities for progression abound.
Ref ER/2213

WEBSITE MANAGER, Worcester. Circa £40k
This position is all about the customer - increasing sales, improving engagement and ensuring the experience is even better than you'd expect from a market leader. Can you bring enthusiasm, innovation, leadership, drive and a proven track record to this exciting and rapidly developing client side business? Contact us now for a full job description and how you get in front of this company before the opportunity is snapped up!
Ref ER/2212

SENIOR MARKETING ANALYSIS MANAGER, Reading. £50k - £55k
Are you a multi-channel analytics professional looking for the opportunity to join an industry leading B2C company based in Reading? Reporting directly to the Head of Marketing Analytics you must have proven campaign planning and execution experience. You must be highly organised and able to co-ordinate the analysis and reporting of customers and customer segments, marketing campaigns and understand the principles of direct marketing and through analysis help improve the performance of all campaigns. The position is immediately available. A fully detailed job description with experience requirements will be provided on request.
Ref ER/2210

MI ANALYST, Essex. Circa £32k
Are you technically strong with an analytical mind? Experienced MI Analyst required to join this well known B2B company based in Essex. Reporting directly to the Head of Marketing you will be providing essential business intelligence that will drive forward customer communication and service offerings. Ideally with a mail order or direct marketing background due to volumes you will be developing SQL database solutions to assist with reporting, measuring and modelling customer activity, value and data projections. You will have advanced Excel and SQL ability, strong communication skills and excellent attention to detail. This role is available for immediate interview.
Ref ER/2208  

ONLINE MARKETING EXECUTIVE - CAR CARE PRODUCTS, S. Wales. £35K + bonuses
This is a brand new role requiring an enthusiastic individual with proven experience in maximising ecommerce sales. Our client is a fast growing profitable multi-channel company led by an entrepreneur and which offers huge potential for an online marketing executive to make his/her mark and grow with the business. Candidates will bring an in depth knowledge of and practical experience of working with ChannelAdvisor, trading via amazon and eBay, PPC, SEO, affiliate marketing, digital advertising, and social media, as well as the creation and management of successful email marketing programmes. Working as part of a small young team with the support of the company’s specialist external agencies and suppliers, the role reports direct to the MD and will share his focus on achieving optimum return on investment from all activity. Traditional direct marketing experience an asset but not essential. Application process : please submit full CV & a brief outline of what you feel you could bring to this role.
Ref JRH/CC/0212 

SALES SUPPORT EXECUTIVE, London.
£19k - £24k 
Exciting opportunity to join a data, capacity and technology company based in London. This Sales Support Executive is a brand new role to the business and is pivotal to supporting the Business Development function, specifically the Head of Department. Excel skills are essential to this role and therefore the use of look ups and data merge is a must. Contact us immediately for a full job description and the opportunity to interview for this role.
Ref ER/2209

WEB DEVELOPER/CLASSIC ASP DEVELOPER & WEB DEVELOPER/NET DEVELOPER, Wokingham. Circa £35k
Interviews immediately available! You’ll need to be confident with the following technologies: SQL Server, IIS 6 & 7, HTML and Javascript. You’ll also be exposed to: ASP.NET Forms, .NET Framework 3.5/4.0, C#, Visual Studio, jQuery, AJAX, LINQ, and SVN.
Ref ER/2204

HEAD OF ONLINE TRADING, North West.
Circa £40k
Online Trading Manager for a highly regarded, long established multichannel homewares retailer with exceptional customer service values. Fully experienced in online merchandising, SEO, SEM,  commercially astute with ability to orchestrate major uplift in conversion and increase in AOVs. Working with a great team and managing relationships with key suppliers, location: North West (relocation assistance may be available for outstanding candidate).
Ref EROT1243

To apply for these & to be considered for other openings please forward your CV & covering note in complete confidence & we will contact you by return
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