Cash remains king in UK shops.
Cash is still the most popular form of payment in UK shops but the popularity of vouchers and coupons is on the rise, research suggests.
Read more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22703189
Melody Pods: In Store & Client Centred Background Music, Messaging and Media Network
Background and overhead music and messaging international service
by Guy Lewis
Cash remains king in UK shops.
Cash is still the most popular form of payment in UK shops but the popularity of vouchers and coupons is on the rise, research suggests.
Read more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22703189
by Guy Lewis
New research paints a mixed picture of success in the towns at the heart of the government’s £1.2m Portas scheme intended to revive the High Street.
Read more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22693403
Mary herself states on her own website MaryPortas.com that,
“My journey visiting High Streets across the UK started in earnest 2 years ago when the Government asked me to look at our High Streets and provide an independent review on their future.
I took on this challenge in the full knowledge that it would be complicated and controversial, because I believe our high streets are worth fighting for.”
More about the Portas Pilots is here.
by Guy Lewis
The Centre for Retail Research is warning that UK High Streets could see 20% of their shops close down within five years.
Read more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22686180
I believe the whole economy around the high street and consumerism needs to adapt to survive. Key issues that come up repeatedly such as the restrictions to visitors to high streets through high car park fees that ensure consumers spend as little time as possible in the high street, online businesses selling the same products as high street retailers but at a fraction of the operating costs and the inflexibility of landlords to work with small retailers when cash flows and revenues are declining all need to be addressed urgently, not in a few years time.
At Melody Pods we see ourselves as being a very flexible business for high street businesses. We don’t insist on fixed king term agreements, you can stay a month and go, but you are always welcome to return with no penalties as we will be happy to see you again.
Our prices are also a fraction of our incumbent competition so we don’t aim to maximise our prices to match what we believe to be bloated prices that only makes enough money to afford very high fat cat salaries.
by Guy Lewis
Upworthy recently published an interesting video on the design that goes into a shopping mall which includes designing the right music and the difference between the music in the mall and within the stores themselves.
The key point with music was that the quality and mood of music in the stores needs to contrast with the less than attractive style in the mall. So not unpleasant but just more a mix in with the clatter of chatting and people walking which means the stores themselves, with carpet and fittings that enable warmer acoustics are more inviting and a sanctuary from the mall.
Downtempo, chill out and lounge can work best for stores who want that warm, relaxing and welcoming ambience. Retailers targeting the younger age groups can attract with louder music with energy and faster tempos.
by Guy Lewis
Just imagine, you are running your cafe during the day and using the radio to provide a reasonable yet positive background for your customers when you realise some are laughing and others even finishing their snacks early.
Well this could have been the situation had you tuned into this local BBC radio show a few days ago as the presenter ditched the music playlist usually directed by the producer in favour of her own whilst she slurred her words. The presenter was eventually replaced when another DJ was available but not before she was recorded alluring and denying she was drunk in response to tweets from listeners.