The long-awaited, incredible new animation, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse opened in cinemas on 12 December and retail post, parcel and print specialist Mail Boxes Etc. is one of the leading brands working with Sony Pictures to help promote the movie in the UK and Ireland.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse introduces Brooklyn teen Miles Morales as the all-new Spider-Man, and the limitless possibilities of the Spider-Verse, where more than one can wear the mask. To celebrate the launch of the film, MBE is offering customers the chance to enter a free prize draw to win a family trip to New York City, where the film’s action is set. The winners will check into their luxury hotel for a four-night stay and enjoy all the sights of Spider-Man’s hometown, including a superhero-sized feast at NYC’s comic book-themed restaurant. The competition is free to enter, and no purchase is necessary.
Runner-up prizes include Spider-Man goodie bags, supported by movie-related pairs cards, postcard sets and calendars, given away in participating MBE stores. There’s also weekly prize draws on social media.
MBE’s marketing manager, James Simmons, says: “This exciting campaign sets us apart because it’s unusual for a post, parcel and print franchise to work alongside a film to promote its services. The fact that we are one of just a handful of top brands Sony is working with is testament to both our innovative approach and the success of our previous film collaborations.”
MBE has more than 150 high street stores in the UK and Ireland, providing plenty of retail locations and a healthy footfall that’s ripe for displaying the Spider-Man promotional material to customers and passers-by.
“We’re hoping that customers visiting their local Mail Boxes Etc. will be impressed by the colourful store displays. And in the run-up to Christmas we have free Spider-Man calendars to give away that will help focus customers’ minds on print,” continues Simmons.
Neil Moore, who with his wife Tracey owns the Mail Boxes Etc. store in Plymouth, is using the promotion to demonstrate how to use traditional print in creative ways. “The pairs card decks and personalised calendars are great for executive give-aways,” he explains, “while we’re giving out the collectable postcards as an alternative to ordinary flyers. The life-sized standees are another imaginative way to get the message across and make an eye-catching alternative to pop-up banners at events or retail displays.”
With more MBE stores investing in graphic designers to help bring customers’ ideas to life, franchisees are increasing sales of digital print and finishing services in-store, as well as raising awareness of MBE’s post and worldwide parcel delivery solutions.
“The superhero theme of the movie lends itself well to our ethos of customer service that goes beyond the everyday,” concludes Simmons. “We’re promoting our franchisees as the heroes they are – ‘super-powering’ customers’ print, parcels, post, mailbox services and much more. We think customers will respond well, and we’re looking forward to reaching new audiences too, thanks to Spider-Man’s broad appeal.”
Mail Boxes Etc. UK & Ireland has achieved a major accolade in the MBE Worldwide Excellence Awards 2017, which is judged amongst 32 countries worldwide.
Chairman Simon Cowie and his team received the Knowledge Contributor Excellence Award from master licensee MBE Worldwide SpA, recognising their efforts in contributing to the post, parcel and print franchise business’s focus on customer service.
“I am really proud of the team for winning this award,” said Cowie. “We are happy to contribute ideas and share our practical experience for the benefit of the global network. We share details of our marketing campaigns, as well as hosting international franchisees and master licensees from other countries on our new franchisee induction training programme. This enables them to take these proven success stories back to their countries and use them to create franchise opportunities to help establish and grow their networks.”
MBE’s global chairman and CEO, Paolo Fiorelli, praised the way MBE UK embraces the group’s #PeoplePossible ethos, which focuses on the brand’s dedication to great customer service and ensuring a personalised shopping experience every time: “MBE UK always finds successful solutions to satisfy our customers and provide real value to its franchisees and to fellow master licensees,” he said. “Our competitive advantage revolves around the personal relationships forged every day, in all MBE centres, with each MBE customer and family member. MBE UK’s outstanding actions, aimed at sharing experiences, ideas and best practice, reflect the team’s deep understanding of this distinguishing philosophy.” Fiorelli particularly praised the UK team’s commitment and willingness to support the group’s new master licensee training process.
Mail Boxes Etc. UK & Ireland, one of the leading non-food franchises, took a punt this summer with some promotional activity that tapped into the current frenzy for all things football. Said marketing manager James Simmons: “We’ve been promoting our shipping services, emphasising that we don’t just ship to 32 countries but all over the world. And our ‘raise your game’ print promotion encouraged businesses to go all out with full-colour print this summer in order to achieve their sales goals.” There’s also the chance to win one of ten branded football shirts in the colours of any club or country in a prize draw competition, with no purchase necessary. But perhaps the most adventurous element of the campaign, and one that could be a first for a non-food franchise, is the creation of a neat little game app, called Parsley’s Free Kick Frenzy. It’s named after the character that stars in the new MBE videos, known as Parsley thanks to his quirky hairstyle (the name’s also a punning reference to MBE’s parcel delivery business). In the game, Parsley is a goalie, deflecting free kick goals, as well as occasionally letting some into the net. It’s MBE’s first ever game app, free to download on Google play and the App Store, and there’s even a desk-top version. “We’re very proud of our beautiful game,” says Simmons. “It’s really easy to play, and pretty compelling too. Players can test their talent against friends and colleagues or take on anyone who’s playing, anywhere in the world.” The multi-media summer of sport campaign can be seen on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and on the company’s website, as well as in more than 150 stores around the country. “We’re looking forward to seeing how many people engage with us via the campaign, and particularly those who download the game,” continues Simmons. “It’s a bit of a departure for us, and we’re excited to explore similar opportunities in the future.”
Mail Boxes Etc. UK & Ireland, one of the leading non-food franchises, took a punt this summer with some promotional activity that tapped into the current frenzy for all things football.
Said marketing manager James Simmons: “We’ve been promoting our shipping services, emphasising that we don’t just ship to 32 countries but all over the world. And our ‘raise your game’ print promotion encouraged businesses to go all out with full-colour print this summer in order to achieve their sales goals.”
There’s also the chance to win one of ten branded football shirts in the colours of any club or country in a prize draw competition, with no purchase necessary. But perhaps the most adventurous element of the campaign, and one that could be a first for a non-food franchise, is the creation of a neat little game app, called Parsley’s Free Kick Frenzy. It’s named after the character that stars in the new MBE videos, known as Parsley thanks to his quirky hairstyle (the name’s also a punning reference to MBE’s parcel delivery business).
In the game, Parsley is a goalie, deflecting free kick goals, as well as occasionally letting some into the net. It’s MBE’s first ever game app, free to download on Google play and the App Store, and there’s even a desk-top version.
“We’re very proud of our beautiful game,” says Simmons. “It’s really easy to play, and pretty compelling too. Players can test their talent against friends and colleagues or take on anyone who’s playing, anywhere in the world.”
The multi-media summer of sport campaign can be seen on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and on the company’s website, as well as in more than 150 stores around the country.
“We’re looking forward to seeing how many people engage with us via the campaign, and particularly those who download the game,” continues Simmons. “It’s a bit of a departure for us, and we’re excited to explore similar opportunities in the future.”
There’s cause for celebration at Mail Boxes Etc. Chichester this spring. The team recently won the best-performing agent award in the South East from global money transfer service MoneyGram. The award recognises the MoneyGram agents with the highest increase in transaction throughput in any particular quarter, and store manager Judy Veniamaki and her colleagues were delighted to achieve this milestone in March. Mail Boxes Etc. prides itself on the innovative mix of everyday support services it offers to business and personal customers alike. Individual store owners can tailor these services to the needs of their customers, and Judy decided to offer MoneyGram transfers around 18 months ago. “MoneyGram offers global money transfer and payment services that are very popular with our customers,” explains Judy. “It’s a safe and convenient way for people to transfer money to friends and family. Perfect for those who don’t have a bank account, the ‘cash in, cash out’ facility means that people from overseas who are working and living in the UK can pay cash into MoneyGram at our store, and the recipient can draw that out in their own currency from any MoneyGram agent, anywhere in the world.” Judy and her team were presented with £200-worth of gift vouchers to celebrate their success. “I’m delighted with this award,” she said, “and I’m looking forward to growing the business with MoneyGram as more and more customers get to hear about the service.”
There’s cause for celebration at Mail Boxes Etc. Chichester this spring. The team recently won the best-performing agent award in the South East from global money transfer service MoneyGram. The award recognises the MoneyGram agents with the highest increase in transaction throughput in any particular quarter, and store manager Judy Veniamaki and her colleagues were delighted to achieve this milestone in March.
Mail Boxes Etc. prides itself on the innovative mix of everyday support services it offers to business and personal customers alike. Individual store owners can tailor these services to the needs of their customers, and Judy decided to offer MoneyGram transfers around 18 months ago.
“MoneyGram offers global money transfer and payment services that are very popular with our customers,” explains Judy. “It’s a safe and convenient way for people to transfer money to friends and family. Perfect for those who don’t have a bank account, the ‘cash in, cash out’ facility means that people from overseas who are working and living in the UK can pay cash into MoneyGram at our store, and the recipient can draw that out in their own currency from any MoneyGram agent, anywhere in the world.”
Judy and her team were presented with £200-worth of gift vouchers to celebrate their success. “I’m delighted with this award,” she said, “and I’m looking forward to growing the business with MoneyGram as more and more customers get to hear about the service.”
Entrepreneurial approach of a group of MBE stores in London has benefits for the whole network. A multiple-store franchise group with five stores in London has created an opportunity for better business relationships with one of Mail Boxes Etc.’s key customer groups: hotel concierges. Mail Boxes Etc. takes great pride in providing services to hotel concierges across the UK. Particularly in luxury and exclusive hotels, a concierge can greatly enhance guests’ experience, acting as a knowledgeable advisor who is able to recommend local restaurants and shows, as well as organising ancillary services like dry cleaning, postal and courier services. To make this happen, a concierge must create a network of suppliers and services they can recommend to clients. To help them achieve this, many concierges belong to a friendly society with roots dating back to 1929, called Les Clefs d’Or – or The Golden Keys. Before earning the right to wear the golden keys lapel badge, aspiring members must have several years’ experience as a hotel concierge, pass comprehensive testing and prove their ability to deliver the highest quality of service. Recognising the lucrative opportunity for increased shipping business with the capital’s four- and five-star hotels, a group of London MBE stores has become an associate member of the Golden Keys. Concierges now know they can turn to MBE as a trusted supplier – something that applies across the network. “We represent all MBE stores, not just the five in our group, so the whole network of more than 150 stores can benefit,” says Khalid Khan, director of sales for Lyons Business Services which owns the MBE stores in Chiswick, Kensington, Notting Hill, Paddington and Crawford Street. Seamless service Khalid and his team find that one of the key areas where concierges appreciate their support is in shipping items like perfumes and alcohol. “These items require a dangerous goods licence,” explains Khalid, whose export knowledge is based on fifteen years as a general manager with DHL. “We recognised there was a niche there, and we decided to work with a company at Heathrow Airport that specialises in export services for dangerous goods. Now our stores send goods to them and they pack them and prepare the documentation, then put them back into the system with DHL and FedEx. It’s seamless from the customer’s point of view and that’s a big bonus for London concierges,” he says. Showcasing Mail Boxes Etc. Every year Khalid and his team sponsor and attend a Golden Keys event, which gives them the opportunity to showcase MBE and its services. At a recent event, Khalid showed the new MBE services video before making a brief presentation to around 150 members. “The video reflects who we are and what we do as a network. It went down very well, catching members’ attention,” he says. The key message for those attending was that MBE can ship almost anything, anywhere. “Sometimes guests just dump shopping bags on the concierge’s desk and ask them to send them home. Now they just phone us, get a price, we will pick the item up within half an hour, pack it, do the customs forms and despatch it. That’s what makes ours such a great service from the concierges’ point of view.” Commenting on the way Khalid and his team have identified an opportunity and exploited its potential, James Simmons, marketing manager for Mail Boxes Etc., says: “I’m impressed with the entrepreneurial spirit of this group of stores, which shows just what can be done to deepen relationships with key customers and position Mail Boxes Etc. as a go-to supplier. It also serves to underline what a great franchise opportunity an MBE store represents.”
Entrepreneurial approach of a group of MBE stores in London has benefits for the whole network.
A multiple-store franchise group with five stores in London has created an opportunity for better business relationships with one of Mail Boxes Etc.’s key customer groups: hotel concierges.
Mail Boxes Etc. takes great pride in providing services to hotel concierges across the UK. Particularly in luxury and exclusive hotels, a concierge can greatly enhance guests’ experience, acting as a knowledgeable advisor who is able to recommend local restaurants and shows, as well as organising ancillary services like dry cleaning, postal and courier services.
To make this happen, a concierge must create a network of suppliers and services they can recommend to clients. To help them achieve this, many concierges belong to a friendly society with roots dating back to 1929, called Les Clefs d’Or – or The Golden Keys. Before earning the right to wear the golden keys lapel badge, aspiring members must have several years’ experience as a hotel concierge, pass comprehensive testing and prove their ability to deliver the highest quality of service.
Recognising the lucrative opportunity for increased shipping business with the capital’s four- and five-star hotels, a group of London MBE stores has become an associate member of the Golden Keys. Concierges now know they can turn to MBE as a trusted supplier – something that applies across the network. “We represent all MBE stores, not just the five in our group, so the whole network of more than 150 stores can benefit,” says Khalid Khan, director of sales for Lyons Business Services which owns the MBE stores in Chiswick, Kensington, Notting Hill, Paddington and Crawford Street.
Seamless service
Khalid and his team find that one of the key areas where concierges appreciate their support is in shipping items like perfumes and alcohol. “These items require a dangerous goods licence,” explains Khalid, whose export knowledge is based on fifteen years as a general manager with DHL. “We recognised there was a niche there, and we decided to work with a company at Heathrow Airport that specialises in export services for dangerous goods. Now our stores send goods to them and they pack them and prepare the documentation, then put them back into the system with DHL and FedEx. It’s seamless from the customer’s point of view and that’s a big bonus for London concierges,” he says.
Showcasing Mail Boxes Etc.
Every year Khalid and his team sponsor and attend a Golden Keys event, which gives them the opportunity to showcase MBE and its services. At a recent event, Khalid showed the new MBE services video before making a brief presentation to around 150 members. “The video reflects who we are and what we do as a network. It went down very well, catching members’ attention,” he says.
The key message for those attending was that MBE can ship almost anything, anywhere. “Sometimes guests just dump shopping bags on the concierge’s desk and ask them to send them home. Now they just phone us, get a price, we will pick the item up within half an hour, pack it, do the customs forms and despatch it. That’s what makes ours such a great service from the concierges’ point of view.”
Commenting on the way Khalid and his team have identified an opportunity and exploited its potential, James Simmons, marketing manager for Mail Boxes Etc., says: “I’m impressed with the entrepreneurial spirit of this group of stores, which shows just what can be done to deepen relationships with key customers and position Mail Boxes Etc. as a go-to supplier. It also serves to underline what a great franchise opportunity an MBE store represents.”
Loving Vincent is an innovative film which has already won awards and received huge accolade worldwide since its release in October. For Mail Boxes Etc. promoting the film in its 159 stores with a free prize draw to win a trip to Amsterdam and private tour of the Van Gogh museum, as well as limited edition prints showing stills from the film, was a true masterstroke of genius. This is a franchise which offers more than just international parcel delivery, courier, postal and print services. Mail Boxes Etc. specialises in auction logistics – the collection, packaging and shipping of fragile, highly-valued fine art, antiques and collectables, so it was the right solution for both an art-film, and Mail Boxes Etc. to collaborate on promoting Loving Vincent. “We think Loving Vincent is an excellent fit with our Auction Logistics brand, created specifically for customers requiring shipping services for their priceless, delicate and treasured items,” says James Simmons, Mail Boxes Etc.’s marketing manager. “We were thrilled when Altitude approached us about Loving Vincent and we could see the amazing opportunity it will create for our franchisees.” In line with the excellent printing and design aspect of the franchise business, Loving Vincent provided a chance to show off more of what Mail Boxes Etc. offer. The film, which focuses on Vincent van Gogh’s life and untimely death, combines state-of the art technology with traditional oil painting to create the world’s first fully painted feature film. Van Gogh’s works were painstakingly recreated by 125 artists, and Mail Boxes Etc. printed 500 limited edition art prints to be won in its promotional prize draw, as a stunning reminder of the incredible works of art which make this a very special film. "Mail Boxes Etc. has stores in the heart of many towns and cities across the UK, so it was easy for customers to enter the prize draw, which also offered the chance to win a luxury trip for two to Amsterdam, including an exclusive tour of the Van Gogh Museum. The resulting impact for our franchise network was incredibly successful, as it encouraged so many people to visit our stores and, on speaking with our business owners, they found out more about what Mail Boxes Etc. has to offer," concludes James Simmons.
Loving Vincent is an innovative film which has already won awards and received huge accolade worldwide since its release in October. For Mail Boxes Etc. promoting the film in its 159 stores with a free prize draw to win a trip to Amsterdam and private tour of the Van Gogh museum, as well as limited edition prints showing stills from the film, was a true masterstroke of genius. This is a franchise which offers more than just international parcel delivery, courier, postal and print services.
Mail Boxes Etc. specialises in auction logistics – the collection, packaging and shipping of fragile, highly-valued fine art, antiques and collectables, so it was the right solution for both an art-film, and Mail Boxes Etc. to collaborate on promoting Loving Vincent. “We think Loving Vincent is an excellent fit with our Auction Logistics brand, created specifically for customers requiring shipping services for their priceless, delicate and treasured items,” says James Simmons, Mail Boxes Etc.’s marketing manager. “We were thrilled when Altitude approached us about Loving Vincent and we could see the amazing opportunity it will create for our franchisees.”
In line with the excellent printing and design aspect of the franchise business, Loving Vincent provided a chance to show off more of what Mail Boxes Etc. offer. The film, which focuses on Vincent van Gogh’s life and untimely death, combines state-of the art technology with traditional oil painting to create the world’s first fully painted feature film. Van Gogh’s works were painstakingly recreated by 125 artists, and Mail Boxes Etc. printed 500 limited edition art prints to be won in its promotional prize draw, as a stunning reminder of the incredible works of art which make this a very special film.
"Mail Boxes Etc. has stores in the heart of many towns and cities across the UK, so it was easy for customers to enter the prize draw, which also offered the chance to win a luxury trip for two to Amsterdam, including an exclusive tour of the Van Gogh Museum. The resulting impact for our franchise network was incredibly successful, as it encouraged so many people to visit our stores and, on speaking with our business owners, they found out more about what Mail Boxes Etc. has to offer," concludes James Simmons.
Throughout the autumn, Mail Boxes Etc. has a beautiful new display to show-off, promoting the critically acclaimed art-house film, Loving Vincent. Following the success of last year’s collaboration with Warner Bros. to promote STORKS, Mail Boxes Etc. is excited at the potential impact this year’s collaboration could have on local Mail Boxes Etc. stores. “Our collaboration with Warner Bros. to promote STORKS last year was a huge success!” explains Mail Boxes Etc.’s marketing manager, James Simmons. “We saw an increase in footfall into our stores, and thousands of customers entered our prize draw.”
Maria Beltran, who owns the newly opened Mail Boxes Etc. Tooting store, is excited about the positive impact this will have on her business. She realised her dream of starting her own business, and enjoying more face-to-face contact with customers, having left her previous job as an assistant financial controller earlier in the year. “Mail Boxes Etc. has more than 160 stores across the UK, and 1,600 worldwide, so it’s a well-known brand which really appealed to me,” Maria says. “By being involved with promoting Loving Vincent, Mail Boxes Etc. are clearly demonstrating the support they offer their franchisees, by fact they are prepared to think outside the proverbial mailbox, for the benefit of my local business.”
Mail Boxes Etc. specialises in worldwide parcel delivery, with particular expertise in auction logistics – collecting, packing and shipping fragile, high-value fine art, antiques and collectables. “We think Loving Vincent is an excellent fit with our Auction Logistics brand, created specifically for customers requiring shipping services for their priceless, delicate and treasured items, often bought from auctions or sale rooms around the country,” says James. “We were thrilled when Altitude approached us about Loving Vincent and we could see the amazing opportunity it will create for our franchisees.”
Unveiling the beautifully striking Loving Vincent printed posters, proudly displayed in all 160 of the Mail Boxes Etc. stores, Maria is enthusiastic: “The highly visual nature of this campaign perfectly showcases our print capabilities. All the printed collateral and in-store displays have been produced by Mail Boxes Etc. We have also created some beautiful A6 postcards portraying stills from the film, for customers to take away, as well as 500 limited-edition art prints which can be won in the prize draw.”
The digital campaign includes email marketing, social media channels and a dedicated microsite. “We want to give our franchisees as many opportunities as possible to engage with customers and expand their perceptions of our brand,” continues James. “This is a new, exciting initiative which we are confident will create a lot of interest, spark conversation and allow us to promote the skills and services of Mail Boxes Etc. to both existing and new audiences.”
Loving Vincent opens in cinemas nationwide on 13 October, telling the unforgettable story of one of the world’s most famous artists, Vincent van Gogh, in the world’s first, fully painted, feature film. Van Gogh’s works were painstakingly recreated by a team of 125 painters. The beauty of this film is in the detail, as each brushstroke is animated and blended with live-action performances, transporting audiences inside Van Gogh’s work. The film was rapturously received when it premiered at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival in June 2017, and is released across cinemas in the UK by Altitude Film Distribution, the company who have also recently released award-winning films Moonlight (Academy Award for Best Picture 2017) and Amy (Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature).
A new store in Streatham is offering customers a wide range of Royal Mail postal services, as well as parcel shipping, design and print. After a career in IT, local businessman Alister Hartman decided to turn his hand to retailing, and opened his Mail Boxes Etc. store at 10 Streatleigh Parade, Streatham, SW16 earlier this year. The business has already proved a success, with plenty of demand from both passers-by and regular customers. Asked why he decided to change direction, Alister said it was the fun of interacting with the general public and the challenge of starting a new business from scratch that attracted him. “I worked in IT for over 20 years, and I wanted something that would bring some fun into my working week,” he explains. “I did some research online and liked the Mail Boxes Etc. business model, because it offers a number of revenue streams. Having attended several franchise shows, I came back to the MBE idea because when I spoke to them they really inspired me with their enthusiasm. No other opportunities matched up.” Alister runs the store with his wife, Angela, sister-in-law Vita, and son Nicholas. “I’m lucky because my family is on my side and they’re investing their time to help make this a success,” he says. The store has something for everyone: “We offer Royal Mail postal services without the queues; fast and easy parcel delivery using UPS, DHL, FedEx and other big brands; a mailing address and virtual office service; design and print; shredding and secure data destruction,” Alister continues. “We attracted a lot of local interest right from the start – we’ve done lots of printing, shipping and our stationery supplies are very popular. There’s a bus stop just outside the store, which means passengers look in the window and pop inside before starting their journey or after getting off the bus. It’s ideal for small businesses but we have lots of personal customers too.” Alister recently invested in a top-of-the-range Xerox digital printer for faster, better quality print that he can turn around in-store. He also offers Western Union money transfers, which have proved popular with locals who want to send money overseas. Ideally located on the high street, close to Streatham Hill station, the new store is in a thriving, up-and-coming part of London. Opening hours are designed to meet the needs of commuters as well as local business users. “We’re open from 8.30am to 7pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 6pm on Saturday.”
A new store in Streatham is offering customers a wide range of Royal Mail postal services, as well as parcel shipping, design and print. After a career in IT, local businessman Alister Hartman decided to turn his hand to retailing, and opened his Mail Boxes Etc. store at 10 Streatleigh Parade, Streatham, SW16 earlier this year. The business has already proved a success, with plenty of demand from both passers-by and regular customers.
Asked why he decided to change direction, Alister said it was the fun of interacting with the general public and the challenge of starting a new business from scratch that attracted him.
“I worked in IT for over 20 years, and I wanted something that would bring some fun into my working week,” he explains. “I did some research online and liked the Mail Boxes Etc. business model, because it offers a number of revenue streams. Having attended several franchise shows, I came back to the MBE idea because when I spoke to them they really inspired me with their enthusiasm. No other opportunities matched up.”
Alister runs the store with his wife, Angela, sister-in-law Vita, and son Nicholas. “I’m lucky because my family is on my side and they’re investing their time to help make this a success,” he says.
The store has something for everyone: “We offer Royal Mail postal services without the queues; fast and easy parcel delivery using UPS, DHL, FedEx and other big brands; a mailing address and virtual office service; design and print; shredding and secure data destruction,” Alister continues.
“We attracted a lot of local interest right from the start – we’ve done lots of printing, shipping and our stationery supplies are very popular. There’s a bus stop just outside the store, which means passengers look in the window and pop inside before starting their journey or after getting off the bus. It’s ideal for small businesses but we have lots of personal customers too.”
Alister recently invested in a top-of-the-range Xerox digital printer for faster, better quality print that he can turn around in-store. He also offers Western Union money transfers, which have proved popular with locals who want to send money overseas.
Ideally located on the high street, close to Streatham Hill station, the new store is in a thriving, up-and-coming part of London. Opening hours are designed to meet the needs of commuters as well as local business users. “We’re open from 8.30am to 7pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 6pm on Saturday.”
Clive and Ruth Thorn, who set up their Mail Boxes Etc. business at 33 Great George Street, Leeds, 15 years ago, were delighted to receive UK Franchisee of the Year Award at the firm’s recent conference.
The husband and wife team both left the corporate world with the aim of starting their own business in 2002, and were impressed by the Mail Boxes Etc. business proposition. “Not only was it a ‘clean’ franchise – no food or drink involved – but the hours were more in line with normal business hours, which was appealing to me as I came from a pub background which involved very long working days!” says Clive. “From a financial point of view, the business model has three ‘legs’: post and parcel, mailbox and virtual office, print and copy. They are complementary services with a broad appeal, and you spread your risk because you’re not relying on just one profit centre.”
It’s a mix that has served the Leeds business well over the years. “We’re right in the centre of Leeds, next to the law courts and the city council offices, and there’s a great business community here. We deal with lots of firms, large and small – we’ve been here so long, we’ve got some good relationships. “We’re also very close to two of the city’s universities, Leeds University and Leeds Beckett,” continues Clive. “It’s a lively scene when the students are about. We don’t just print dissertations – we print their project work and also flyers and posters for the various student associations.”
Bars and restaurants make good use of MBE Leeds’ design and print services for menus and posters, and, says Clive, “there’s what I call the ‘Friday Night Club’ too - a great bunch of event organisers and entertainers that tend to drop in on a Friday evening to get their publicity printed for weekend gigs. There’s never a dull moment here.”
Presenting the award, James Simmons, marketing manager at Mail Boxes Etc. UK and Ireland, said: “Clive and Ruth run a very successful and well-established business. They are highly proactive, looking to drive sales rather than simply react to enquiries. They consistently operate well across all three major profit centres, carrying out energetic marketing activities and maintaining a strong turnover.”
Talking about the support they receive from the franchisor, Mail Boxes Etc. UK and Ireland, which has 1,600 stores worldwide and more than 160 in the UK, Ruth commented: “The business has evolved – everything has been carefully adapted over the years to reflect trading conditions and developments in the marketplace. The team at head office has been great at picking up on the trends and giving us support when we need it. One of the biggest areas of our business is working with auction houses, and MBE has recently rebranded this service and promoted it very widely as Auction Logistics from Mail Boxes Etc. That has helped raise the profile of our auction house work as a brand.
“Here at MBE Leeds we have been building relationships with the main auction houses in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire for the past 15 years, collecting, packing and delivering the lots that people buy remotely – online and commission bidding is a huge and increasing market and by its nature needs our pack and ship services.”
After an early career in accounting, Maria Beltran has realised her dream of starting her own business and having more face-to-face contact with customers. Earlier this month, she opened a new Mail Boxes Etc. store at 52 Upper Tooting Road, SW17, offering post, parcel and print services to the local community. “When looking at start-up options, I was attracted to franchising because it’s based on a proven business model,” says Maria, who left her job as an assistant financial controller to set up her business. “MBE has more than 160 stores in the UK and 1,600 worldwide, so it’s a well-known brand. When I met the team I was struck by how friendly and knowledgeable they were. I was also impressed when I met other franchisees – some of them have four or more stores and I found that very inspiring.” Maria liked the fact that Mail Boxes Etc. has something for everyone. “We offer Royal Mail postal services without the queues; fast and easy parcel delivery using UPS, DHL, FedEx and other big brands; a mailing address and virtual office service; design and print. Our shredding and secure data destruction facility is ideal for solicitors, medical centres, small businesses and private individuals and we’re happy to collect from customers’ premises.” Ideally located on the high street, close to Tooting Bec and Tooting Broadway tube stations and Balham overground, the new store is in a thriving part of south London. “We’re just a few tube stops from the city, so there are plenty of commuters who use our print and copy services and pop in with parcels on their way to or from work,” says Maria. “And with two universities close by and several of colleges and schools, student services like dissertation printing and student mailboxes are in high demand.” When setting up the business, Maria also took the decision to invest in the latest photo ID technology as an additional service for her customers. “Our digital system complies with UK Passport Service regulations, so the images are suitable for new biometrically enabled passports. They are also approved for visas to all destinations worldwide – the system checks the photo against the requirements stipulated by the various embassies,” she explains. “It’s great value at just £8.99 for four images that are produced while you wait and are also ideal for bus passes, rail cards, driving licences and student cards.” The store’s opening hours are 9am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 2pm Saturday, but Maria is looking forward to going the extra mile for her customers. “If it means staying open a little later occasionally for a last-minute print job or some passport photos, we’re here to help. It’s all part of the service.”
After an early career in accounting, Maria Beltran has realised her dream of starting her own business and having more face-to-face contact with customers. Earlier this month, she opened a new Mail Boxes Etc. store at 52 Upper Tooting Road, SW17, offering post, parcel and print services to the local community.
“When looking at start-up options, I was attracted to franchising because it’s based on a proven business model,” says Maria, who left her job as an assistant financial controller to set up her business. “MBE has more than 160 stores in the UK and 1,600 worldwide, so it’s a well-known brand. When I met the team I was struck by how friendly and knowledgeable they were. I was also impressed when I met other franchisees – some of them have four or more stores and I found that very inspiring.”
Maria liked the fact that Mail Boxes Etc. has something for everyone. “We offer Royal Mail postal services without the queues; fast and easy parcel delivery using UPS, DHL, FedEx and other big brands; a mailing address and virtual office service; design and print. Our shredding and secure data destruction facility is ideal for solicitors, medical centres, small businesses and private individuals and we’re happy to collect from customers’ premises.”
Ideally located on the high street, close to Tooting Bec and Tooting Broadway tube stations and Balham overground, the new store is in a thriving part of south London. “We’re just a few tube stops from the city, so there are plenty of commuters who use our print and copy services and pop in with parcels on their way to or from work,” says Maria. “And with two universities close by and several of colleges and schools, student services like dissertation printing and student mailboxes are in high demand.”
When setting up the business, Maria also took the decision to invest in the latest photo ID technology as an additional service for her customers. “Our digital system complies with UK Passport Service regulations, so the images are suitable for new biometrically enabled passports. They are also approved for visas to all destinations worldwide – the system checks the photo against the requirements stipulated by the various embassies,” she explains. “It’s great value at just £8.99 for four images that are produced while you wait and are also ideal for bus passes, rail cards, driving licences and student cards.”
The store’s opening hours are 9am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 2pm Saturday, but Maria is looking forward to going the extra mile for her customers. “If it means staying open a little later occasionally for a last-minute print job or some passport photos, we’re here to help. It’s all part of the service.”
