Buy British

Retail Active the leading UK Brand Audit and Mystery Shopping Company has surveyed a panel of 3,178 people during March 2012 to determine if they would buy British products and services from British companies in preference to foreign produce and goods.

The survey shows a huge seal of approval for British goods and services with a staggering 92% of people surveyed saying that they would buy British whenever possible.

There are some regional differences with UK buyers expressing a preference to buy own country produce, in the first instance. However, there is an overwhelming desire to buy British ahead of European, American and Asian like for like goods.

Yorkshire topped the list as the county most passionate about buying British.

One theme that ran through the research was that its often too difficult to identify British goods. However, where shoppers did identify UK goods they are prepared to pay a little more for them.

Retail Active went on to ask why people felt so passionate about purchasing UK goods, with support for British companies, quality and keeping profits in the UK being top reasons.

Julian Chamberlain, CEO of Retail Active Mystery Shopping, says "This is a fascinating insight into the minds of British Shoppers. Our survey highlights some great news for manufacturers and suppliers up and down the land."

British companies can rest assured that the buying public want their goods in preference to overseas imports. Retailers can stock British goods in the confidence that they are likely to sell well and command a small price premium.

Retail Active provides secret shopping throughout Europe sending thousands of secret shoppers each month to test service and quality. We are always looking for mystery shoppers to join us in our quest to be one of Britain's top Mystery Shopping Companies offering outstanding mystery shopper services.

Assessors Required

Retail Active the leading UK Brand Audit Company is looking for assessors with previous experience of auditing to join our International panel of audit experts.

Our clients are leaders in their sector and want to make a step change in performance. We are looking for outstanding assessors to help us evaluate clients business delivery. If you have undertaken audit work in the past 12 months and have a track record of success we would love you to join us.

As an assessor you will need to be articulate, detail conscientious and work to an exacting standard. You will receive full training and will be rewarded for doing something you really enjoy anyway.

Five Reason to Join Us:

1.  Help make a real difference
2. Have Fun!
3. Experience great brands
4. Work will a highly regarded team
5. Increase your core competence

Retail Active is a fast growing brand audit and mystery shopping company and there is plenty of scope for those who want to help improve customer service. We are also one of Europe's leading mystery shopping companies and part of the Sequential Solutions Group.

Retail Active provides brand auditing and mystery shopping throughout Europe, completing thousands of assignments each month to test brand compliance, service and quality. We are always looking for assessors to join us in our quest to be on of Britain's top brand auditing companies, offering outstanding auditing and mystery shopper services.

If you have the drive, ability and experience to be a top rated assessor join us here at Retail Active www.retailactive.com .

Retail Active is Network Rail's Mystery Shopping Partner

Retail Active, one of Europe's leading mystery shopping companies has been appointed by Network Rail to research more than 500 retailers operating at 15 major stations across the UK.

The aim is to increase the profitability of retailers within Network Rail's stations and to identify ways to drive sales and customer service.

The programme will involve thousands of mystery shoppers, who will visit the locations six times a year - as part of a three year programme.

The retailers include well-known brands such as Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury, Boots, Starbucks, WH Smith, Nero and Bodyshop - as well as a number of small independent operators.

Stations involved include major London terminals Paddington, Victoria, Kings Cross, Liverpool Street, Fenchurch Street as well as Manchester Piccadilly, Liverpool Lime Street and Leeds.

Retail Active's Managing Director, Julian Chamberlain said: "The purpose is to engage with retailers in a spirit of partnership and to monitor and benchmark performance trends and share the results.

"Our regular evaluations and feedback will help Network Rail to develop and maintain good customer service practice with their business partners for years to come.

Laura Pries, Operations Director of Retail Active mystery shopping says: "The main objective is to improve the retail experience for customers - who will have a different set of demands to those on the High Street. Timing and ensuring people get what they need quickly are important. People in a station environment are usually in a rush.

"We have built a questionnaire based very much on the engagement of the secret shopper and how they feel about the experience.

"Some retailers have their own programmes and they wanted mystery shopper research that would work in harmony.

"Network Rail has been very careful to consider its retailers and how they may operate slightly differently to each other.

"Our programme will not penalise retailers because they don't do certain things or if they behave in a slightly different way.

"I believe Retail Active won this contract because we provide arguably the most advanced and meaningful mystery shopping and brand audit research available. We are passionate about what we do, and are a close knit team and provide rich information that makes a huge difference to our clients.

"Network Rail wanted someone who would integrate with them and immerse themselves in their business - and that is what we have done.

Julian Chamberlain added: "We are a fast growing mystery shopping company and our ability to deliver this project with flawless executions means we are the right choice.

"Working with Network Rail enables us to show our true capabilities as the UK's leading Mystery Shopping and Brand Audit company."