Build-A-Bear Workshop’s ‘pay your age’ promotion backfires July 17, 2018 Last week, children’s toy store Build-A-Bear found itself in the headlines following a promotional campaign that backfired. Stores rolled out a ‘pay your age’ day, in which parents could buy a teddy bear for the price of the age of their child. However, the initiative took a sour turn after keen customers were left standing [...]
Struggling House of Fraser’s brand perception is in decline June 13, 2018 Last week, retail store House of Fraser announced plans to close 31 of its 59 shops – including its flagship Oxford Street store – as part of a ‘rescue deal’. If the plans go ahead it could lead to the loss of 6,000 jobs across the UK. It is yet more bad news for the [...]
Homebase’s perception drops on news of sale to restructuring firm Hilco May 30, 2018 Last week, in another dent to bricks and mortar retail, Homebase announced it had been sold to retail restructuring firm Hilco for a sum of just £1. Australian company Wesfarmers bought the brand for £340m back in 2016. However, industry experts panned its strategy and management, accusing it of failing to appreciate the difference between [...]
Nokia charms consumers with the revival of its retro-style 3310 handset March 17, 2017 Ordinarily, when a new device hits the market, the talk is of innovation and revolutionary new features. However, the big story in the tech sector in recent weeks has been Nokia’s reincarnation of its 3310 phone. The original handset was wildly popular in the early 2000s, characterised by its long battery life and its popular game [...]
Patriotic Vauxhall customers aren’t enough to boost its value image before sale to Peugeot owner PSA March 8, 2017 As the owners of French car manufacturer Peugeot agree to purchase the Vauxhall and Opel arm of the General Motors group, it’s a good time to look at the current public perception of the brands being bought. The European wing of GM has been struggling for some time, with it last making a profit in 1999 [...]
Waterstones reads between the lines to go local as unbranded stores put it in the bad books March 1, 2017 Earlier this week, it was revealed that bookselling giant Waterstones has opened three small unbranded stores in locations across England. Some have argued that in opening shops purporting to be “independent” without notifying consumers of the real owners Waterstones has been underhand. Others have stressed that any effort that pushes books – while filling empty [...]
High street stalwart Debenhams shakes off payment scandal February 22, 2017 Last week, Debenhams was named by the government as one of the worst companies for underpaying staff. YouGov Brand Index data shows how the news has altered perception of the brand. Over the last year, I have discussed how adverse stories about pay have damaged companies including Sports Direct and Harrods, but also how positive [...]
Emirates is riding out turbulence in the airline sector and its brand is even jumping ahead of British Airways February 8, 2017 Ryanair's recent profit drop underlines how tough the airline sector is currently. It’s a good time to have a closer look at one airline whose consumer perception is standing up well in a highly competitive industry – Emirates. Our recent YouGov BrandIndex brand rankings point towards the success the high-end airline has enjoyed over the [...]
When it comes to public perception it pays not to short-change staff February 1, 2017 Towards the end of December, there was a row involving luxury department store Harrods. Waiting and kitchen staff took industrial action because they alleged that the business’s owners retained up to 75 per cent of service charge, which reduced pay by up to £5,000 a year. Harrods has subsequently vowed to let staff keep 100 [...]
Thomas Cook’s new advert has sent its brand soaring January 25, 2017 January is traditionally a time for holiday companies to appeal to potential customers, as people return reluctantly to work under grey skies following the Christmas break. Thomas Cook is one company that is aiming to appeal to future holidaymakers dreaming of sunnier climes. It launched its “you want, we do” campaign after Christmas, but there is a [...]
