Free Your Feet

New Voucher UK becomes one of the top UK shopping website

Alan — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 21:10:10 +0000

One of the top online shopping websites for UK customers is New Voucher UK, an electronic shopping portal that offers customers an efficient and easy way to find the best deals online.

By using the New Voucher UK website browsers can easily find the best coupon codes and facilities that list voucher codes for all of their favorite shops.

Online shopping is quickly becoming one of the most preferred forms of shopping due to the fact that it allows customers to shop in very little time. In addition, most shoppers benefit from the wider variety of brands, products, sizes, and ranges available online, making it the better solution for getting exactly what you want.

New Voucher UK compliments this shopping experience by offering promotional codes and coupon codes to top shopping websites so that shoppers get an even better deal while online. Promotional codes on the website are available for all types of purchases; including travel discounts, discounts on many top consumer products, gym equipment, and even airport parking.

All of the New Voucher UK coupon codes are regularly checked to make sure they are up to date and actually work. In addition, the website is constantly updated so that the latest and newest promotional codes are always listed.

One of the perks of using New Voucher UK is the fact that the best rebates are all carefully sorted and placed in one location to make the online marketplace easier to use. The coupon codes can all be easily cut and pasted onto any checkout offer box and are effective immediately so that they can make any online purchase instantly much more affordable.

In addition, New Voucher UK also offers an email subscription for those who want to be kept in the loop on all of the top discounts and latest savings.

Swap your old M&S clothes for a £5 voucher at Oxfam

Alan — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 21:00:56 +0000

Oxfam is a charity known for helping underprivileged people around the world and they’ve recently announced a partnership with the retailer Marks & Spencer.

The two companies have announced that if you take any Marks & Spencer clothes to an Oxfam store they will give you a voucher which is valued at five pounds which you can redeem in the store.

The voucher is valid when you spend £35 in the shop and it does not just cover clothes and can be used on beauty products as well as items for the home as well. Plan A is an initiative that has been started by Marks & Spencer which details a series of promises that the company plans to achieve by 2015.

The company said that in the near future they are looking to become one of the most sustainable retailers in the world. The first type of exchange programme like this was started between the two companies back in 2008. Many people have described it as one of the best partnerships for doing social good of the last few years.

In the last four years around £3 million has been raised for Oxfam by the sale of used clothes. As well as raising money it has prevented over 2000 tonnes of waste clothing from going to landfill. Part of the scheme is a dedicated day each year where people can clean out their wardrobes.

Plan A director is Richard Gillies who commented, “Far too many clothes are being thrown away and by donating them to charities they are raising money for good causes as well as helping save the environment. This new scheme is an easy way for people to get money off voucher and do some good to the world.” The plan has been praised by many groups.

PC World and Currys gifts for Valentine’s Day

Alan — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:13:22 +0000

PC World and Currys, the two largest electrical retailers in the UK, offer a large range of budget products that will make great gifts for Valentine’s Day, including everything from iPads to e-readers depending on what the techno nut in your life would like.

In fact, the stores even have coffee machines and grooming products on offer if it is the smaller things in life that will make them happy. Both stores have chosen some of the items that they think their consumers would like for Valentine’s Day and to help offset the costs a bit are offering a ten pound voucher to shoppers to put towards their purchase.

For the female that loves her hair ‘just so’ the best choice may be the Remington S7902 Wet2Straight Slim Hair Straightener priced at about £85.00. The real charm of this device is that instead of waiting for one’s hair to dry before the tool can be used, the Wet2Straight can be placed on towel dried hair and instantly dry and straighten hair. Great for those with early mornings, there are not too many fashion conscious women out there that would not love this great time saver.

On the other hand, for men sometimes sticking to electronics is the best bet, which is where the Agora 16” HD Ready LED TV may be the best choice. Featuring LED quality and a small picture that makes it transportable, the television can be great on trips and great for simply catching up on the game while grilling outback.

Once the weather breaks your guy may also love the idea of watching the game from the patio while sipping on a few cold ones which is why this particular television makes such a great gift idea.

High Street stores turn to the internet

Alan — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:36:39 +0000

Despite austerity being the keyword in the UK over the last few months, most retailers reported better than expected figures for sales in the run-up to Christmas. The power of internet shopping was to thank for most of these unexpected increases, with stores like Marks & Spencer, Debenhams and John Lewis all enjoying one of their best Christmases ever when it came to online sales.

John Lewis’ internet shopping figures were the best the company had ever reported; a 28% increase on 2010 figures and an overall online income of over £600 million for the whole of 2011. Shoppers were even making purchases on December 25 itself, with over 60 million people in the UK visiting retail sites during Christmas Day.

A retail expert from Shopow, a shopping site based in the UK, expects to see internet shopping embraced by the major High Street retailers in 2012 as bosses realise the significance of online sales. The number and type of products made available online is set to increase as stores capitalise on the massive popularity of internet shopping.

The Shopow site is dedicated to social shopping, allowing consumers to compare and contrast brands and prices as well as posting their own reviews to assist others in making their buying decisions. Whereas in the past High Street retailers have focused on their actual stores, rather than their virtual ones, assuming that women will always prefer the social aspect of shopping with their friends, social shopping allows online buyers to chat to other consumers and share links and photos with friends.

Bosses at Shopow hope their venture will become as successful as comparison websites are in the insurance, personal finance and travel businesses, adding that wherever they shop consumers are always interested in a bargain.

T Mobile no holds barred tariff

Alan — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 02:48:15 +0000

T Mobile is one of the many mobile phone operators in the UK that are trying to differentiate themselves from the intense competition in the market. The latest attempt to doing this is offering a tariff with no holds barred, this tariff is going to offer unlimited calls, texts and data, and this is not subject to any fair use policy, it is truly unlimited.

The entry-level contract in the range does have slight limits set at around 2000 text messages and calls per month. If you want completely unlimited facilities then you are going to have to pay £41 a month, but if you are wanting the latest iPhone then it can cost you significantly more, at around £60 per month.

This is now the best contract being offered by T-Mobile and it is only the second network to offer unlimited data, with Three being the first. The package also includes the ability to tether your mobile phone into a laptop so that you can use its unlimited data wherever you are. Users of the package will also be able to access the largest wireless hotspot network in the UK, BT Openzone, a significant bonus for laptop users.

Regent Street raises Union flags to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 2012

Alan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:57:23 +0000

Regent Street raises Union flags to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 2012

The breathtaking display of Union flags will be returning to London’s Regent Street as part of the celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. They will be up from Monday 28^th May-Friday 8^th June. The enormous flags were massively popular when they were displayed to last April for the Royal Wedding between William and Kate.

Popular with both Londoners and tourists from both theUKand abroad, the flags are seen to be a patriotic and fitting tribute to one of the most iconic shopping streets in the world and a hub of British culture. The flags will be hung while London sleeps. And will be suspended from bunting that is red, white and blue hanging from 22 crossings.

Starting at the BBC building, that is north of Oxford Circus, the sea of flags will head south down to Piccadilly Circus. Each individual flag measures 4m x 2.5m and are set to create a stunning backdrop to one of the most historical and famous thoroughfares in the world.

Annie Walker, Director of the Regent Street Association, says: “We are so delighted the flags are returning, especially when the world will focus onLondonduring the Olympic year”.

Many of the shops and restaurants on Regent Street are preparing for a record number of visitors arriving into London’s West End in the lead up to the Olympics and for the Royal Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Harold Tillman, Chairman of Jaeger says:

“Following The Crown Estate’s great success in celebrating last summer’s Royal Wedding celebrations, we are delighted that the flags are returning to London’s Mile of Style to commemorate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The stunning display of flags will truly welcome visitors from around the world to the heart of London’s West End, and to one of the most historic and vibrant shopping destinations in the world.”

Holidays in Britain are being upgraded

Alan — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:12:42 +0000

Holidays in Britain are going to be even more exciting and satisfying this year, with a lot of upgrading and innovating going on all over the country. Anyone looking for the perfect getaway destination has a wonderful array of choices; just pick a general vicinity and check out all the possibilities.

Haven Holidays, the biggest holiday park operator in the UK, claims the best value for families in their 35 seaside locations. They have instigated some new amenities such as an outdoor pool with a designated toddler area at Wild Duck in Norfolk and a river to connect indoor and outdoor pools at Reighton Sands in Yorkshire.

A new indoor sports complex at Craig Tara in Ayrshire includes climbing walls, golf simulator, a jungle theme play area and more, plus a new indoor cafe for rainy day refreshment. In all cases, Haven suggests that you book online, and early, to get the best of their special rates.

The three resorts operated by Butlins have all received major refurbishment and upgrades, with a third grand hotel opening in May in West Sussex at the Bognor Regis resort. The Wave Hotel and Apartments boasts 215 bedrooms, 29 self-catering apartments and an Amazon Kindle library, not to mention balconies and sea views from most rooms.

Amongst the new entertainment in all three resorts (Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness) visitors can look for Stephen Mulhern with a magic show and an interactive show with Glee-Force from the hit U.S. TV series.

Park Resorts, with 39 coastal holiday parks, is investing £3.5million in new caravans to accommodate their guests – as of now they are just behind Haven in the number of visitors at their self-catering parks. They will also be offering new entertainment with big-screen viewing and as always, plenty of activities for the whole family.

Away Resorts has only three parks, but they are chock full of fun and excitement for everybody. Mill Rythe, on the western side of Chichester Harbour on Hayling Island, has some added attractions for seniors – adult breaks specially designed for guests over 50. They’ve also done a lot of upgrading through the 256 chalets, adding flatscreen TV and mood lighting as well as new beds.

Away’s resort at Whitecliff Bay on the Isle of Wight now has free ferry service if booked before 31 January 2012. The resort’s Canvas Village is the ultimate in camping, with all the amenities of a modern country cottage. Tattershall Lakes Country Park in Lincolnshire is the place to camp on an island in the middle of a lake with all the freedom of lake and forest plus the options of a lodge or Canvas Village.

And that’s only for starters. Center Parcs is celebrating their 25^th year with lots of new developments, Hoseasons has 65 new luxury lodges at six locations including one near Loch Ness, and Holgates Holiday Parks’ Bay View on Morecambe Bay is offering a special Valentine’s Break with ‘glamping’ pods complete with heat and lighting.

Reindeer Court a shopping mall with a difference

Alan — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:16:19 +0000

Worcester shoppers who are growing tired of seeing the same old High Street brands whenever they visit the city centre should try making a special trip to Reindeer Court, a shopping mall with a difference. Most of the stores within the Reindeer Court centre are local and independent, offering unique products combined with friendly service and attention to detail.

And in an effort to attract more local people to the centre, the local paper is producing its own loyalty card which will give consumers money off and access to special deals in many of the Reindeer Court outlets. The Worcester Evening News’ Reindeer Court loyalty scheme is an attempt to increase the number of Worcester residents who use the centre, rather than relying on the tried and tested brands found in the rest of the city’s shopping area.

Offers include 10% off photo sessions and camera equipment at Ice Fine Photography, 10% off designer clothes at the independent boutique Fuel and another 10% off products bought from craft shop Brimstone Beads, which also provides a framing service. Frank Edwards, manager and owner of Brimstone Beads, welcomed the move by the Worcester Evening News, warning that more people needed to use Reindeer Court or the city would risk losing many of its few remaining independent stores.

Promotions manager at the local paper, Sarah Bevan, added that the loyalty card was a great way for Worcester shoppers to get themselves a bargain while supporting local small businesses during a difficult period. The Reindeer Court loyalty card is only available to regular subscribers to the Worcester Evening News, and is given out free to any customers who have the publication delivered six nights a week.

Ernest Jones Love and Life app

Alan — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:44:07 +0000

A recent iPhone application has been launched by Ernest Jones Love & Life. The app comes at no cost and is designed to be beneficial for customers of the store. It allows those who have downloaded the app to buy items from the store in a secure mobile environment.

The application is very easy to use and has the ability for customers to create lists including such items as watches, diamond jewellery, wedding rings, and gifts. It also allows customers to take advantage of items that are on sale and also locate the nearest store.

The application has been designed to give potential customers a very convenient buying experience. The application has all sorts of items that will appeal to all budgets and occasions.

The company was recently rebranded as Ernest Jones Love & Life and it has been repositioning itself as an occasion-based jeweller. In recent months it has been working with a wide array of brands to bring new jewellery to its customers.

It has also recently introduced new stores which have a much more luxurious feel than their previous offerings. They are styled in a more boutique way and shops have recently opened in Westfield Stratford City in addition to the Stratford Centre.

The company had been refocusing themselves on improving customer experience. They are hoping that the application will allow customers to find new and beautiful products that inspire people to shop at the company in the future. The brand is aiming to position itself as the main place where customers can go to find jewellery that is suited to a specific occasion.

By focusing on customer retention, and making customers experiences as positive as possible, they are hoping to get return business and develop their brand in a very positive and inspirational way.

Next accidentally offer 98 quid sofas

Alan — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:27:47 +0000

Next, the high street giant, have been left with very red faces after a pair of sofas worth £1198 were listed on the website for only £98. online shoppers went mad when they spotted the blunder, which knocked £1100 off the sofas instead of the intended discount of £100. bargain hunters flocked to grab the deal and those who bought them also received confirmation emails which gave them estimated dates of delivery.

The price error, which went for 6 hours uncorrected, was spotted by the keen eyed users of consumer websites such as moneysavingexpert and Hotukdeals. Online shoppers have reported that they bought the two Rochelle sofas for £98, plus delivery, and the money had left their bank accounts, leaving those buyers believing they had nabbed the deal of the century.

Other consumers said on the Hotukdeals website that they had rushed onto the Next website to try and grab this deal, describes as a ‘glitch lottery’. Many, however, doubted that the chain would actually honour this huge discrepancy in price, which amounted to more that £1000. It turns out that they were right, and Next have disappointed those shoppers who thought they had grabbed a massive bargain.

The retailer is relying on the small print in its terms and conditions that states they are allowed to cancel any order before they have been despatched. Once Next discovered the error it was quickly rectified, and the retailer has said that they will be contacting all those customers involved to tell them their orders wouldn’t be fulfilled.

The company also said that they have consulted with Trading Standards and that they were well within their rights to cancel the order at anytime prior to it being dispatched. A Next spokesman said that for few hours, a sofa option was offered at the wrong price on both their transactional website and their telephone ordering system. This was a genuine and very unfortunate error, that they corrected as quickly as possible.

He went to say that they had discussed the matter with their local Trading Standards office about the best way to deal with those orders which had been placed while the sofas were wrongly priced, and that according to their standars t’s & c’s, they were able to reserve the right to cancel those orders as they were prior to dispatch.

He added that they were contacting all the customers involved, and would be explaining that unfortunately they would not be fulfilling their orders. They were very sorry for both the disappointment and inconvenience caused by this error. As you can imagine, the consumer websites are buzzing with questions and comments from disgruntled buyers who believe that Next are in the wrong by not honouring their mistake.

Several posted comments on moneysavingexpert.co.uk asking if they had any legal comeback, while many wondered when they were going to get their money back. If it had been honoured, it would have been one of the costliest pricing errors ever. The last one, which admittedly was nowhere near the Next one, was a glitch that had Terry’s Chocolate Oranges going through the tills at Tesco for 29p instead of £2.75.