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DID YOU KNOW

Almost two-thirds of shoppers less likely to return goods bought online

Altogether almost half of UK adults (49%) shopped online during the last quarter  of 2009 and  UK consumers are now ranked as the biggest online shoppers in Europe.  We spent £38bn online in 2009 which accounts for 10% of total UK retail sales.

A recent government survey furthermore revealed that almost two-thirds of consumers are less likely to return goods they buy online than those they buy on the high street.  Three quarters (77%) of UK consumers also admits that they did not know  there are differences between online and high street consumer rights and one in  10 (13%) were not sure of their consumer rights with online purchases.

Here are the 3 key online consumer rights:

1) There is a seven day ‘cooling off’ period from the date you receive the goods, with the right to a full refund regardless of the reason for return.  There are some exceptions however, for example when the goods were personalised for you, were
perishable, or are not in the same condition as when they were delivered.

2. When you make an online purchase your contract is with the retailer not the manufacturer.  This means that if you want to request an exchange or refund you should always go back to the retailer.  If you have a manufacturer’s warranty you can contact them as well as the retailer.

3. If the goods you received are faulty you do not need a receipt to obtain a refund for them.  However, you may be required to show proof of purchase with a credit card slip or bank or credit card statement.

To find out more please visit: http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/

BLOG POST

Should you build your own website?

I hear so many horror stories – broken friendships and abandoned launches – when it comes to small business websites.  I learned to manage my websites and even did a couple of simple sites for clients, one of which was an well-known academic computer science project.

Should small businesses owners turn to online tools – like I did – rather than web developers when they want to get a website?  After all, no one knows the business the way they do.   Read more…     

BUSINESS TIP

2nd Pitch to Win Competition

Business Pitch Competition with angel investor judges, cash prize for the winner  and mentoring feedback for all entries!

Closing date for submissions:    6 April, midnight

Live final:                               19 April, 6.30pm

So how did the first “Pitch to Win” competition go? Well, our winner has received a funding offer from one of the judges and they have been working together ever since on developing his venture.  Two of the other 5 finalists have also been contacted by investors – and that is just what I am aware of! Building on this pretty impressive story, we will run the second series of the “Pitch to Win” competition on the 19th April, with a superb panel of judges.

Are you not looking for funding? No reason for not entering; come to practice, learn, get feedback or find new customers.

Competition entry fee: £20 – remember that if you win, you get this and much more back!

For full details and to register please go to: http://www.meetup.com/startup-fasttrack/calendar/12016408/

READ ABOUT IT

Business Plan Checklist

By going through the business planning process you’ll ensure you understand yourself, your competitors and your customers’ needs better.  This will enable you to put the right strategies in place to maximise your financial results. In essence, there are four main reasons for writing a business plan:

1.     Describe your vision, objectives and planned actions to yourself and others

2.     Persuade a third party to provide resources or assistance

3.     Guide your strategic thinking so that you know what, when and why are you  trying to do and how you are going to achieve it

4.     Set financial targets to help you budget and keep the business on track

 Read more…

TOP STORIES

Boots may partner with other retailers for in-store delivery

Boots is considering letting other retailers to use its 2,600 stores as pick-up points for online shoppers.  The health and beauty retailer agreed a deal earlier this week with Mothercare and is also considering joining forces with other retailers to expand its multi-channel click-and-collect service.  Boots hopes it will help  drive shoppers into its high street stores.

Boots revealed that 40% of its own online orders during the festive period were collected in-store.   Boots 2,600 stores reaches many of the small towns where other retailers don’t have a presence.

Story link: http://www.imrg.org/8025741F0065E9B8/(httpNews)/82B3638A4A0B26E9802576C800424993?OpenDocument

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Changes To Exemptions From Public Performance Rights from April 2010

The Government has decided to remove the exemption currently enjoyed by charities and not for profit organisations from paying fees to Phonographic Performance Limited.  The effect of this is that from April 2010 they will have to pay a fixed annual fee for playing music at events or in public places. Exactly how much that fee will be has yet to be decided but it is not anticipated to be more than £100 a year.  Next, the Government must lay a statutory instrument amending the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 accordingly, before implementation will begin in April 2010.

The initial response from the third sector has been one of disappointment but it  remains to be seen if those charities who claimed at the outset of the consultation that they would no longer play music or would do so but without paying for the licence if such a change was implemented will actually go ahead as threatened.

Story link: http://www.ipo.gov.uk/response-musiclicensing.pdf

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New Employment Legislation For 2010

April will see the rate of statutory maternity, paternity and adoption pay increase from £123.06 to £124.88 per week. The earnings threshold will also be raised from £95 to £97 per week.

April will also mark the introduction of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009. This Act will give employees a right to request unpaid time off from work for training. Only employees with more than six week’s service will be  entitled to the right, and they must be able to demonstrate that the training they wish to undergo will improve the effectiveness of their work and the performance  of the employer’s business. Only employers with more than 250 employees will have to consider such requests.

In the spring, the so-called “fit notes” will also be introduced through the Social Security (Medical Evidence) and Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) Amendment Regulations 2010. These will allow doctors to issue employers with more information about the condition of sick employees and what they can do to encourage them back to work.

Story link: http://www.personneltoday.com/events/list.aspx?navigationid=10&type=10026&past=falseThe