Fight the Monday Blues!

It’s Blue Monday – the most depressing day of the year. What’s even worse is its snowing and Britain is coming to a halt around us. The winter feels like it’s here to stay and the first day of spring feels a million years away.

If you’re feeling glum, we have a few ideas that might help;

1. Try a new hobby!

Taking up a new hobby is often rewarding and socially exciting, which is especially welcome through the notorious doldrums of January. We, of course, suggest joining mystery shopping companies as a great idea to get interested in!

2. Get some sun.

Sunlight helps our bodies produce Vitamin D and Vitamin D is great for helping to boost the immune system. Do you find yourself with the winter sniffles through January? Even just getting out in the winter sun can help, especially if you’re walking through town on a mystery shopping trip!  'Seasonal Affective Disorder’ has also been linked to the lack of sunlight, so it could bring you out of the blues too.

3. Get your finances in check.

Now is the time to address the accumulated debt from the holidays. One of the keys factors in the January blues is worrying about debt. We pay our mystery shoppers for completing work for us as well as reimbursing them for purchases, so now would be the perfect time to complete some visits, get yourself a treat and give your credit card a break!

If your company’s customers are feeling under the weather, we could provide insight into why.  For information on our services, please email info@retailactive.com.
  
If you are looking for mystery shopping jobs or are looking to become a secret shopper, please sign up through www.retailactive.com.

Proofreaders Required

We are currently searching for experienced freelance proofreaders to expand our highly regarded Quality Assurance team.

Retail Active is the leading British Mystery Shopping and Brand Audit Company and as one of our proofreaders, you would be working closely with us to resolve any identified queries in an accurate and timely manner.  You will report to our Quality Assurance team leader and work with our Head Office team to sense-check and proofread reports generated from our mystery shopping jobs.

Our perfect proofreader would have meticulous attention to detail and an excellent understanding of the English language.  In addition, you should be available to work a minimum of 12-16 hours per week.  Our flexible working hours means that you can fit work in around your schedule, but we are currently prioritising those that can work full-time office hours and those that are available weekends or evenings.

The key responsibilities of our freelance proofreaders include:

•    Amending secret shopper reports to conform to our ethics policy.
•    Working with the Quality Assurance team to bring any queries to resolution.
•    Diligently proofreading mystery shopper reports and validating visits.
•    Working with the Operations team to ensure that any recurring problems are brought to light and resolved.

Retail Active is one of Europe's leading mystery shopping companies and we are looking for honest, accurate and reliable people to help us make a real difference.

 If you have the experience and skills to join us as a Freelance Proofreader, please contact Michelle by email at shoppersupport@retailactive.com for further information.

Why choose Retail Active – Automotive Mystery shopping

Retail Active is the market leader of British mystery shopping companies and we also have strong roots in brand auditing, with numerous clients in several sectors.  Like our secret shopping reports, our audit reports are a snapshot of how businesses are performing, but they go one step further in to checking how compliant they are to company standards and what facilities are in place.

With years of experience as the leading brand auditing and mystery shopping company, Retail Active knows many of the problems that arise from running franchise operations.  Our audits highlight issues such as non compliant signage, inferior customer environments and incorrectly displayed POS; all of which could affect customer experience and sales.  Through a regular mystery shopping and auditing procedure, we can help save clients money.  We do this by ensuring that service and premises are maintained to a higher consistent standard throughout the franchise.

We have an International team of auditors who are detail conscientious, articulate and work to an exacting standard.  Retail Active provides a brand auditing and mystery shopping service throughout Europe, completing thousands of assignments each month to test service, quality and brand compliance.

We liaise with our clients to understand the emphasis of their audits, before preparing a custom audit programme to support their needs.  At Retail Active your Brand Audit will be completed perfectly, precisely and in a timely manner.

If you wish to enquire about the services Retail Active can provide, please email info@retailactive.com

If you are interested in becoming a brand assessor, please click through for more details on positions available.

If you are looking for mystery shopping jobs, or are looking to become a secret shopper, please sign up through www.retailactive.com.

How To Turbo Charge Your Sales & Profits

Over the last year, Retail Active has played a vital part in the success of our client’s business performance.  We don’t pretend to be the silver bullet, but are very proud to announce the average YOY revenue increase experienced by our customers is over 18%, in a very challenging market. 

As a Mystery Shopping Company, Retail Active provides a holistic service to improve customer loyalty and satisfaction.  We use a range of products and services - from Mystery Shopping, Brand Auditing and Customer Satisfaction Surveys to Employee Opinion Surveys.  With all of our programmes we carefully research our client’s specific requirements, taking care to immerse ourselves in their culture, spotting opportunities to share our unique research capabilities.  Research is driven by our expert team to analyse results, spot trends and communicate ways to maximise behaviours, revenue and profits.

We often identify quick wins and over the years have learnt that 90% of customers who have left a store without making a purchase do so due to poor service.  In other words, poor service has forced 90% of your potential customers to buy your products elsewhere.

Your current customers should be your greatest asset in recommending your brand, your best way to increase profits, your most frequent visitors and your greatest critics.  Current customers, when kept happy, return more often, increase their spending and recommend you to family and friends.

70% of customers are prepared to pay more IF they receive a better service.  Improving your service would result in 70% of your customers being happy to pay more.

If you are wondering how customers rate your service, you can contact us on 01235 438413.
If your customers are spending more money, more often, are happy to spend more on your services and are shouting your praises from the rooftops - then you then you must be one of our clients.  If not, please visit www.retailactive.com to find out more.

Retail Active is a British research organisation, specialising in secret shopping, using carefully selected mystery shoppers.  If you are looking for mystery shopping jobs and would like to join our panel, please contact us. We take huge pride in being one of the globes most successful mystery shopping companies and are always looking for talented secret shoppers to join us.

Operations Director

Salary: £48k, Bonus Scheme, Company Car, Incentive Package and Benefits
Based: Harwell, Oxfordshire


Retail Active is one of the fastest growing customer  intelligence companies in the UK. We work with some of the world's best known brands and are now looking to implement our aggressive growth plans in the UK and overseas.

We currently have a vacancy for an Operations Director, based at our office in Harwell, Oxfordshire. This is a pivotal role and vital to the company's future success. Reporting to the Managing Director you will be directly responsible for executing the company's business plan and daily operational activity. You will work closely with the Commercial Director and be responsible for the Operations Teams, ensuring flawless execution of the Retail Active proposition to complete client satisfaction.

Prior experience in customer research programmes is essential, coupled with an excellent understanding of customer experience in retail and hospitality environments. You will also have proven senior management (operational) experience in a high pressure environment.

You will have outstanding interpersonal and presentation skills, be commercially astute with an aptitude for strategic business development. Key to this role is your ability to drive growth by adding real value to both existing and new clients.

As Operations Director you will be responsible for leading your teams by example, forging strong high-level relationships with clients and for meeting demanding business targets.

This is a unique opportunity to join a dynamic business at an influential level with potential to reap substantial rewards and success.

Key responsibilities of this position include:

• Delivery of the company business plan and financial objectives
• Management of the Completion Team, Quality Assurance Team, Account Management and IT Teams to ensure flawless execution of the Retail Active proposition
• Communication and delivery of agreed company KPI's weekly, monthly and quarterly and annually
• Attending high level meetings to ensure complete client satisfaction, representing the companies range of services whilst making a meaningful difference to client businesses
• Understanding client objectives and continually qualifying client needs through communicating to and meeting with clients at strategic and head office levels
• Compare revenue performance with market opportunity by product
• Fulfill ad hoc reporting requests as needed
• Maintain a well informed understanding of competitors activity, products and objectives
• Work with the Managing Director and Sales Director on relevant client acquisition projects, participate in company marketing and sales efforts where appropriate
• Seek every opportunity to represent Retail Active, its products and business interests with third party organisations and business partners
• Interact and foster outstanding working relationships with clients, be fully conversant with Retail Active products in order to help drive sales - and specifically on large, cross-discipline pitches and RFPs
• Delivering an agreed increase in overall productivity by focusing on streamlining current processes and implementing industry best practices
• Lead large national and international projects, from initial costing through logistical delivery and quality assurance
• Deliver business to grow at +30% per year while decreasing operating costs through process re-engineering and supply chain and people management
• To attend monthly Business Planning meetings and agree points of further action to deliver the company plan

Required Skills and Experience:

• Degree in communications, market research, business, or related field
• Extensive experience managing operations for a qualitative market research organisation
• Experience in leading and motivating teams to deliver outstanding results in a demanding environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, being used to present complex data in an interesting and easy to comprehend way
• Outstanding project management skills with the ability to establish priorities, manage multiple projects, establish time lines manage and appraise team leaders and employees to achieve objectives
• Experience working with top clients across multiple industries, including FMCG, Finance, Healthcare, Retail, Hospitality, Automotive and Technology
• Experience in successfully implementing new product innovation to the market place
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to interact professionally and effectively with all levels of employees and senior leadership
• Ability to operate effectively under pressure of deadlines. Ability to adapt quickly to change
• Leadership experience as demonstrated by successfully managing an organisation of at least 15 team members
• A commitment to maintain confidentiality of employee, client and business data 
• Strong strategic, analytical and critical thinking skills
• Good knowledge of PowerPoint, Word and Excel
• Experience managing large, complex domestic and multi-national projects across cultures
• Experience working with senior management to drive and implement key business strategies

Closing date for applications is 24th August 2012.

Retail Active is one of the fastest growing brand audit and mystery shopping companies in the UK. We work with some of the world's best known brands sending specially trained mystery shoppers to assess the quality of service at client's premises. Mystery Shopping is a fast growing market research technique and we are actively recruiting secret shoppers of all demographic profiles. Those wishing to apply for mystery shopping jobs should apply at www.retailactive.com. Alternatively applicants will find us by searching mystery shopper on Google.

Become a Retail Active Account Manager

Retail Active the leading UK based Brand Audit & Mystery Shopping Company is actively seeking an experienced Account Manager to join them at their Oxfordshire based headquarters.

You will be responsible for promoting Retail Active through presentations and analysis, whilst proactively identifying further new business opportunities. Over the next few months we have several high profile clients joining us and there are exciting new opportunities ahead.

The primary purpose of a Retail Active Account Manager is to manage the commercial relationship with existing and new Mystery Shopping clients. This will involve regularly meetings with clients to give feedback, share best practice and recommend improvements to their programmes. Our clients look for well informed and proactive challenge to help them improve their proposition, therefore having the confidence to present compelling commercial information is essential.

Working with the Operations Team you will ensure that client programme requirements are understood and implemented to an exacting standard.

You will have previous relevant experience as an Account Manager, be willing to travel extensively and looking for a challenge to develop your career in a growing organisation. It is highly likely that you will work closely with our clients, possibly at least one day a week at their headquarters.

Applicants will need to be confident individuals with the abilities to communicate effectively at all levels. This is a challenging and rewarding job requiring excellent organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects.

Julian Chamberlain, Managing Director of Retail Active commented: 'This is a crucial role and we are looking for the very best and brightest Account Managers to join us. We offer excellent opportunities those able to make an engaging and meaningful difference to clients and brand performance. We have exciting plans for the future and it is essential the right team in place to make Retail Active the secret shopper company of choice.

If you would like to apply for this position please send your CV to info@retailactive.com, together with a covering letter, detailing why you believe you should be considered.

Retail Active is one of Europe's leading Mystery Shopping Companies, sending thousands of mystery shoppers each week to conduct assignments.

Salary, circa £34,000 pa including car allowance and benefits.

Customer Service Interviewer Vacancies

Retail Active the leading British Brand Audit and Mystery Shopping Company is currently recruiting experienced customer service 'Exit Interviewers' to work with us on an exciting new project.

This could be an ideal part time job with likely earnings of £200 for working over a Saturday and Sunday.

Opportunities exist throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland.

You will need to be confident, well mannered and approachable as it will involve speaking with shoppers as they leave a store. Our clients are leading retail businesses and expect the most diligent and professional service to be provided by our team members. You will be filling in short questionnaires with them, which then need to be entered on the Retail Active online portal. Having an iPad or tablet would be helpful but is not essential.

Having Field Marketing, Exit Survey or Brand Auditing experience is a definite plus, however honesty, reliability and wanting to deliver a great job is equally important.

Register your interest by email to shoppersupport@retailactive.com and please include your Shopper Number on the email.

If you are not a Mystery Shopper with us currently, please apply online at www.retailactive.com and go through our Shopper Academy. Please be advised that you need to be a Mystery Shopper with us to accept Exit Interviewer work.

Retail Active conducts 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 the world's top Mystery Shopping Companies offering outstanding mystery shopping services.

Proof Readers Required

Retail Active the leading British Mystery Shopping and Brand Audit Company is looking for experienced UK based freelanced proofreaders to join our highly regarded quality assurance team.

As one of our valued proofreaders you will liaise closely with us to resolve any identified queries in an accurate and timely manner. You will report to our quality assurance team leader and work with our head office team to seek further information and possibly make a final edit to reports where appropriate to do so.

It is essential that you have an excellent understanding of the English language and meticulous attention to detail. In addition, you should be available to work a minimum of 12-16 hours per week.

They key responsibilities of our freelance proofreaders include:

• Amending secret shopper reports as required in accordance with our ethics policy
• Liaise with our quality assurance team leader to resolve proofreading issues
• Diligently proofreading mystery shopper reports and evidencing their visit
• Feeding back key information to our Operations team in order to avoid the recurrence of any identified issues

Julian Chamberlain Managing Director of Retail Active commented, "Our proofreaders play a critical part in ensuring the quality of customer experience reports meets out exacting standard. Every report if diligently checked before sending to our clients. It's very rewarding knowing that the feedback you are checking will be considered at the highest level. It is a fascinating job where people can select the hours of work to meet their own lifestyle."

Retail Active is one of Europe's leading mystery shopping companies and we are looking for honest. accurate and reliable people to help us make a real difference.

If you have the skills and experience to join us as a Freelance Proof Reader please contact Jo Jarvis by email at jo.jarvis@retailactive.com for further information.

Customer Service, Exit Interviewers Required

Retail Active Mystery Shopping is looking for experienced customer service 'Exit Interviewers' to work with us on an exciting ongoing project.

You will need to be confident, well-mannered and approachable as it will involve speaking with shoppers as they leave a store. You will be filling in short questionnaires with them, which then need to be entered on the Retail Active online portal.

Having Field Marketing, Exit Survey or Brand Auditing experience is a definite plus, however honesty, reliability and wanting to deliver a great job is equally important.

There is the potential on this project to earn £200 over a weekend and availability is limited so please get in touch as soon as possible.

Register your interest by email to shoppersupport@retailactive.com and please include your Shopper Number on the email.

If you are not a Mystery Shopper with us currently, please apply online at www.retailactive.com and go through our Shopper Academy. Please be advised that you need to be a Mystery Shopper with us to accept Exit Interviewer work.

Retail Active is one of Europe's leading Mystery Shopping Companies and conducts Brand Audits, Secret Shopping and customer satisfaction surveys to over 170 companies in the UK and Europe

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 .

Account Manager Vacancies

Retail Active the leading UK based Mystery Shopping Company is actively recruiting Account Managers to join them at their Oxfordshire based headquarters.

The primary purpose of a Retail Active Account Manager is to manage the commercial relationship with existing and new Mystery Shopping clients. This will involve regular meetings with clients to give feedback, share best practice and recommend improvements to their programmes.

You will be responsible for promoting Retail Active through presentations and analysis, whilst proactively identifying further new business opportunities.

Working with the Operations Team you will ensure that the client programme requirements are understood and implemented to an exacting standard.

You will have previous relevant experience as an Account Manager, be willing to travel extensively and looking for a challenge to develop your career in a growing organisation.

Applicants will need to be confident individuals with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels. This is a challenging and rewarding job requiring excellent organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects.

Julian Chamberlain, Managing Director of Retail Active commented: 'This is a crucial role and we are looking for the very best and brightest Account Managers to join us. We offer excellent opportunities those able to make an engaging and meaningful difference to clients brand performance. We have exciting plans for the future and it is essential the right team is in place to make Retail Active the secret shopper company of choice.

If you would like to apply for this position please send your CV to info@retailactive.com, together with a covering letter, detailing why you believe you should be considered.

Retail Active is one of Europe's leading Mystery Shopping Companies, sending thousands of mystery shoppers each week to conduct assignments.

Salary, circa £28,000 pa. Company car or Car Allowance of £6,000 pa. Benefits