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Marks & Spencer Records 245% Increase in Annual Gift Card Revenue Through Partnership With Runa
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Runa
30 Nov, 2023, 12:00 GMT
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The partnership helps Marks & Spencer tap into the increasingly digitized global gift card market by offering a frictionless and instant experience for consumers and businesses.
LONDON, Nov. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Runa, the global digital value infrastructure for instant B2C payouts, today announced that its platform has brought a 245% year-on-year increase in gift card revenue volume to its partner Marks & Spencer, the major British multinational retailer renowned for its diverse product offerings.
Marks & Spencer operates more than 950 stores across the United Kingdom and hundreds more in 29 additional countries. M&S sought to grow its gift card sales and increase its share of wallet by distributing gift cards across Runa's vast customer base. By utilizing Runa's infrastructure, M&S bolsters its ability to tap into the global gift cards market, which is expected to become a multi-trillion-dollar volume industry within the next decade.
M&S previously lacked a technology platform to conduct B2B sales at scale and therefore faced challenges in selling and delivering digital gift cards to business buyers. Integrating the Runa platform within M&S systems streamlined the ordering process and transformed it into a smooth and instantaneous experience for businesses. This transformation allowed M&S to unlock B2B sales and gain access to a fresh customer base rather than relying solely on their existing sales channels.
"Since signing up with Runa, we have seen continued growth and really impressive results for our gift card sales," said William Wilford, B2B Customer Success Manager at Marks & Spencer. "We've been able to reach new customers and make it easier than ever for them to order from us."
"Runa empowers businesses and consumers to unlock digital value, and the increasing demand for instant gift card transactions underscores the crucial need for speedy and accessible solutions," said Aron Alexander, CEO and Founder of Runa. "Our partnership with Marks & Spencer, which brought a 245% year-on-year increase in gift card revenue, is a prime example of how innovative technology can enhance the customer experience and ultimately drive sales. Businesses worldwide can follow Marks & Spencer's example and leverage technology platforms as a way to reach new customers and revenue, without increasing work for their teams. The upcoming holiday season, when gift card sales reach their peak, provides an ideal opportunity for merchants to rethink their gift card strategy."
Source:
https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/marks--spencer-records-245-increase-in-annual-gift-card-revenue-through-partnership-with-runa-302001941.html
GREAT ADDITION AND ADDED VALUE TO M&S.
Nursery brand Mamas & Papas has opened a concession at the Marks & Spencer store at Westwood Cross.
The 1,506 sqft concession is one of five to launch in the country and stocks items including pushchairs, car seats and nursery furniture..
The new Mamas & Papas site also offers a range of in-store services such as one-to-one Buying for Baby personal shopping appointments and car seat consultations with their experts.
The store is open from 8am-8pm Monday to Friday, 8am-7pm on Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday.
Cheryl Mercer, store manager at Marks & Spencer Westwood Cross, said: “We’re delighted to have been chosen as the latest store to welcome a bespoke Mamas & Papas shop-in-shop, complementing our baby and kids wear offer.
“Families are such a big part of our community and we’re proud to be able to offer them a bigger, better shopping experience. We know how daunting welcoming a new addition can be, and we can’t wait to see customers faces when they visit and find everything they would expect at a Mamas & Papas store, with the added value of shopping at their local M&S.”
Nathan Williams, Chief Executive Officer at Mamas & Papas, added: “We are proud to be continuing to grow our partnership with the Marks & Spencer family as a ‘Brand at M&S’. With their focus on supporting customers throughout life’s firsts, the synergy with Mamas & Papas, as we support families through their important milestones along the parenting journey, feels like a perfect match.
“We’re excited to open our fifth M&S concession in the Westwood Cross store and to support local parents-to-be and their families.”
Mamas & Papas also has concessions in M&S Bluewater, Longbridge, Cheshire Oaks and Reading
Source:
https://theisleofthanetnews.com/2023/11/25/mamas-papas-concession-opens-at-westwood-cross-marks-spencer-store/?fbclid=IwAR3hLLKny-OctCvlY4KL9GQyX-ZK0YpGUvDdPT1zum9LHIJLQ_UvkQwACjE
From STUART MACHIN
Today we received confirmation that the High Court has recognised the merits of our legal challenge on Marble Arch.
Every single one of the six counts we raised has been recognised, which means our case has been approved to proceed to the next stage of Judicial Review.
We have been clear from the very start that refurbishment of the existing store is not possible, so this is only the first step in the lengthy process of overturning the government’s senseless decision to reject our Marble Arch proposal – the only retail-led regeneration on Oxford Street.
With the investment and amazing plans we have to transform the site into a modern, sustainable building, it remains bewildering that we are again having to go through all of this after two years of support and approvals.
But we will do everything necessary to secure a better future at Marble Arch for our local customers, our colleagues and our community.
I can confirm that Christmas and Santa Rally look promising. For the last year since M&S aquire Gist I have observed only adventages at any logistic depot. Together with rising volumes cost has been brought down and more over productivity is well up. Now Gist enter the Christmas peak period. It's golden quarter for Gist and M&S. Imagine that in one peak week only one depot (South East based) will pick, cross dock over 1.1 milion cases in peak week, and we will handle over 20000 customers Christmas Turkeys with volumes set to increase year on year by at least 6%. And all this will be managed only by one depot. Please note that there are 18 Gist depots. So I can be sure that this year Christmas sale will be record breaking.
m&s food logistics strategy update
06th november 2023
dear all,
as we continue to get closer to retail, it is important that we challenge ourselves to enhance the service we provide, reduce the cost we incur, and facilitate the growth of m&s foods.
accordingly, following a review of the operating model in m&s foods, the decision has been made to move the reporting of the food logistics strategy team to gist.
as a result, i am delighted to welcome rob hunt and the food logistics strategy team into gist, to help us deliver the changes and investments needed to support m&s foods.
rob will now report to myself and re-join the gist senior leadership team, and the food logistics strategy team will move business areas to join gist.
the integration of transport remains a key part of the m&s agenda. remaining within m&s, martin hitchen will now report to julian bailey, group head of transport m&s. martin will move with mat *** and james dodds into group transport, as the work they are doing is predominantly transport-related.
kind regards,
nick hay
ceo, gist