With VAT set to rise to 20% in 2011, the retail sector will welcome the news that online sales jumped by 22% in May, compared to 2009 levels.

The online market has become a key sector for businesses, in part due to the financial limitations imposed by the recession. Companies have found marketing and selling their products online to be a very cost effective way of generating revenue and attracting customers, with the latest figures showing that shoppers spent £4.5bn online during May alone.

The research, conducted by the International Media Retail Group (IMRG) found that companies who utilised a range of sales channels had the most success. For example, retailers with both physical stores and online facilities saw year-on-year sales rise by 28%, compared with a rise of just 1% for online-only retailers. (more…)

The Big Savings Club is one of The Rocket Marketing Group’s most successful rewards programmes, giving members exclusive discounts on everything from holidays and entertainment to shopping and motoring. The club carries obvious advantages for its members, as the exclusive discounts ensure they can maintain a full and luxurious lifestyle even in the harshest of economic climates. The initial benefits for members of the club include a free European flight, free ferry crossing to France, free city cruise break, worldwide accommodation, free hotel accommodation all year round and £400 off a holiday to Florida. All of this is great for the consumer, but the rewards for the partner businesses can be even bigger.

When your own brand’s discount sits along side such big member rewards, the associative value is immense. Consumers feel rewarded instantly and this adds more worth to the exclusive discount they redeem from your business. Plus as a member of a closed group the consumers enjoy a special relationship with your brand. The positive experience for the consumer is translated into a consistent source of revenue for your business.

Brand loyalty is a concept that has become a little lost in the current sale culture of the high street. To find a way around the obstacle of consumer brand-switching is key for surviving the recession and emerging stronger in future years.

With a membership base of over 50,000 people, as a partner of The Big Savings Club you instantly have a receptive audience for promoting your exclusive discount and ultimately, your brand. The fact that partnership is completely free means that it is an extremely cost-effective alternative to other expensive advertising and promotion solutions. And all you have to do as a partner is offer an exclusive discount for members on your products or services. Our existing partners have found the club to be a great form of promotion which delivers real results.

Helen Parkinson, Cottages4you Partnership Account Co-ordinator commented “Cottages4you have been a partner of The Big Savings Club since June 2007 and the bespoke JML Savings Club since 2008. In that time the partnership with the two clubs has generated a total transaction value of £12,746. We have featured in two booklets which have gone out to thousands of customers. It’s an effective way of getting our branding across to consumers.”

As the recession looks set to continue and The Big Savings Club membership numbers continue to grow now is a good time to start gaining big rewards from The Big Savings Club.

We would love to talk to you if you want your business to get a big boost from big savings. Whether you’re interested in promoting your brand by becoming a partner and featuring your business in The Big Savings Club, or if you prefer to join us as a client and gain incremental revenue by selling our clubs to your existing customers.

Contact Us for further information.