After implementing Futura's gift card system Williams & Griffin of Colchester, one of the largest and most successful independent department stores in the UK, sells a range of fashion, toys, gifts, housewares and furniture. The store prides itself on its dedicated staff and exceptional customer service and won Drapers Department Store of the Year in 2007.
One of the first UK retailers to use Futura's stored value giftcards, Williams & Griffin is still "battling along nicely," despite the economic downturn, and base this on their ability to react quickly to changing conditions, using Futura's sophisticated retail management system. Their recent implementation of Futura's stored value gift card has even helped increase sales 48% over paper vouchers.
Paul Kearse, Stock Control Manager and IT support has been surprised by customers' phenomenal uptake of Futura's top-up gift cards. He said: "As well as building loyalty, these top up giftcards are particularly useful for pocket money, birthdays, especially in the toy department, as parents and grandparents love them. We find customers often accumulate giftcards to celebrate a special event such as a weddings, anniversaries and christenings
- they're the modern and convenient way to pay."
Futura's cards, which can be branded, changed seasonally, or feature a logo, act as a constant reminder to shop, so helping to build loyalty. Since customers can redeem the card many times over, they find the cards easier to use, more secure and better looking than traditional gift vouchers.
Futura's gift card programme is very quick to set up, typically taking just two months to establish the documentation, development and testing, then
only a few days to roll out and test before going "live".
Commented Jonathan Christie, MD, Williams & Griffin: "Futura has helped us grow our sales and give better customer service and contributed to making us a thoroughly modern department store."