Issue 35/08

Tuesday, 4th December 2007

We SMASHED THE TARGET this week on combined sales and I realise that a lot of hard work and dedication went into the sales this week. There are a lot more people in the stores at this time of the year which of course means more potential customers, the good thing is we are not just standing looking at them but taking full advantage of this, and it was a great effort from you all.

California Fires

Europe Notes from John Collins

So how did we do this week?

WEEK 35

What a week this week was. A big thank you to everyone. We achieved 121% against target and 88% against last year.

We SMASHED THE TARGET this week on combined sales and I realise that a lot of hard work and dedication went into the sales this week. There are a lot more people in the stores at this time of the year which of course means more potential customers, the good thing is we are not just standing looking at them but taking full advantage of this, and it was a great effort from you all.

The only disappointment is the lack of made to measure 28% of target and amazingly a miserable 18% of last year.

Here are the figures for week 35.

AREA L/Y TARGET ACTUAL % TARGET LAST YR %
J. COLLINS 103,002 75,099 91,200 121 88

The top branches this week on combined targets are:

  • STUTTGART 163% of target and 126% of last year with a combined trade of $8,702 a very good week Vince, and with an additional $1955 coming out of Aviano this made for a great combined week - keep it going.
  • LAKENHEATH 152% of target and 98% of last year with $12,512 combined sales. Again, another great week from Gary, who also came in with the third highest $ sales.
  • KAISERSLAUTERN 134% of target but only 65% of last year with $14,976. We did achieve the top spot for $ takings and it was an excellent week from Leigh, myself and Rob.
  • RAMSTEIN 131% of target but only 77% of last year with $12,764 and the second highest $ amount. Fantastic going Trevor and Rob.
  • What a week it was last year for those two branches when the troops came home.
  • HEIDELBERG 129% of target and 110% of last year with $8,699 in trade. Once again Alan is in among the top spots. Well Done.
  • CHIEVRES 119% of target and 139% of last year with $5429 in sales, well done John doing a fine job while Dave is on holiday. This will be an incentive to Dave when he gets back.
  • GRAFENWOEHR A better week this week for Paul in Grafenwoehr 108% of target, with sales of $5,434 keep pushing it Paul.

Worthy mentions go out to the following Managers who did not beat their target but still turned in some very good sales.

  • Geoff Heath and Rob Miller who are covering for Geoff Berry in Wiesbaden came in 93% of target with sales of $6600, which as we know is very good considering that most of the troops in the Wiesbaden area are all down range in Iraq.
  • Once again great to see Dave in Schweinfurt turning in $7,822 in sales, the troops are now most definitely back from Iraq. Keep it up Dave.

THIS IS WHAT WE ALL HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR WHO HAS WON THE AREA COMPETITION AND THE PRIZE OF EURO 250

ALAN SELF 3192 HEIDELBERG

Alan has had a tremendous month and with a lot of hard work and dedication pulled in $10,403 and 137.10% over and above target and $6543 120% more than he did last year during the same weeks. Well done Alan.

My condolences to those who did not win the competition better luck next time.

Here is the league table for all the European branches to see how near or how far you were from winning.

Store Description Actual Target Variance % of Target
Aafes - Europe
3192 Heidelberg 38,475 28,072 10,403 137.10
3230 Stuttgart 29,336 23,042 6,294 127.30
3162 Lakenheath 43,920 34,785 9,135 126.30
3259 Ramstein 44,946 39,440 5,506 114.00
3197 Kaiserslautern 52,360 46,739 5,621 112.00
3362 Aviano 7,390 7,016 374 105.30
3282 Mannheim 17,257 18,194 -937 94.80
3268 Wiesbaden 27,702 29,417 -1,715 94.20
3281 Chievres 16,820 19,301 -2,481 87.10
3256 Grafenwhor 15,484 20395 -4,911 75.92
3156 Schweinfurt 20,015 30,178 -10,163 66.32
3216 Brussels Embassy 1,505 1,000 505 150.50
3223 Bamberg 3,813 3,813
3207 Garmisch 405 800 -395 50.60
3361 Vicenza 1,000 -1,000
Aafes - Europe Totals 319,428 299,379 20,049 107
GB Shape
3215 GB Shape 2,899 4,186 -1,287 69.3
GB Shape Totals 2,899 4,186 -1,287 69.3

Well once again, it was a fantastic week from all of us. Give yourselves a pat on the back for a job well done. The Thanksgiving sale is coming to a close so keep pushing the fact that this is the only time when ALL of our products are on sale and do not forget the made to measure in the rush for sales.

We all need to work together to succeed

Thank you, good luck, and good trading.

John Collins ASM

USA - Notes from Andy Schofield

OK, so I think we’re all warmed up now and ready to roll! Week 35 saw us stumble a little bit just before we crossed the “Finish Line” on Sunday evening. But, some branches held their own and came through November with a BANG!

Although we missed target with 82% we did manage to do over $90,000 in cumulative sales, which is a great achievement. I am sure that we will beat last year’s figures this week as the new Merchant’s Sale is now on Made to Measure and also it’s the last week of the Ready Made sale – Remember to let your customers know… I’ll be sending out some graphics for you all to print off and use on your racks for the “Last Chance” to take advantage of the Ready Made reductions.

Measures faired well last week and we hit 93% of target – keep the momentum going here guys & gals… this is where you’ll make your BIG bucks!!

Ready Made struggled this week as customers hesitate to part with their cash – Make sure to tell them that once this sale is over on the 9th, it isn’t coming back! This is a great time to get a blazer and a topcoat on sale! – Seasonable items on sale?? (We must be mad!)

Don’t forget those Accessories when selling the big ticket items – every penny counts!

Week 35 - STAR PLAYERS

Although we missed target, there were some branches that made and exceeded their goals this week -

  • FORT SAM – Jeff pulled out all the stops again this week and “Was in the right place at the right time” making 133% of target and beating last years numbers by 136%. An excellent result again this week Jeff – Great work! Fort Sam also had the highest amount of Measure sales this week with over $4,400.
  • FORT DIX – Things were a little slower this week in NJ (or maybe it’s just a Grandma thing?!) but Nicky called it just right and romped home with 115% against target this week. Did she manage to do enough this month to get the November Prize??
  • FORT BRAGG – A tough race for third place this week for Adelle. As Fort Meade was hot on her tail all week! Not to be “Left Out In The Cold” Adelle moved full steam ahead at the weekend and managed to finish 113% above target!
  • FORT MEADE – Beaten into fourth this week by 1% point from Fort Bragg, Trevor did manage to do 112%. It wasn’t enough to get the branch into the top three but I am sure we’ll see great things from Fort Meade throughout December – Go for it Trevor!

Only one other branch made target this week and that was Fort Myer. Richard started off slow in the shop as did many of you, but the outcome is what counts and he managed to hit 107% above target ($4,000 On Measures!) – and that’s with a visit to Bolling this week too!

Well done to all of you that made your goals this week – Let’s see everyone hitting target at least once before Christmas!

Where was your branch??

COMPETITION - USA

So... Who won The Satellite Navigation System ??

Congratulations to Jeff Boardman of Fort Sam who made the grade in the month of November. Well done Jeff for pulling those numbers back and beating your targets by $7,877 for the month of November – An excellent result!!

Enjoy your prize…. No excuses for getting lost on the way to work now!

Here is the final league table so that you can see where your branch faired during the competition:-

Store Description Actual Target Variance % of Target
Aafes - USA
3504 Fort Sam Houston 39,959 32,082 7,877 124.60
3507 Fort Bragg 23,823 19,755 4,068 120.60
3519 Fort Dix 24,409 20,532 3,877 118.90
3509 Fort Meade 31,827 30,467 1,360 104.50
3503 Travis 29,671 32,202 -2,531 92.10
3600 Quantico - 02100 44,352 49,500 -5,148 89.60
3501 Andrews AFB 41,180 46,348 -5,168 88.80
3505 Fort Myer 21,251 24,366 -3,115 87.20
3502 Fort Belvoir 55,184 66,192 -11,008 83.40
3602 Henderson Hall 33,816 46,348 -12,532 73.00
3508 Fort Lewis 13,691 19,762 -6,071 69.30
3514 Colorado Springs 11,346 16,765 -5,419 67.70
3518 Langley AFB 12,384 20,108 -7,724 61.60
3520 Nellis 10,237 16,997 -6,760 60.20
3506 MacDill AFB 9,336 15,805 -6,469 59.10
3510 McChord AFB 8,140 14,511 -6,371 56.10
3541 Buckley AFB 4,250 12,251 -8,001 34.70
3527 Fort Hood 3,305 4,603 -1,298 71.80
3511 Bolling AFB 996 4,118 -3,122 24.20
3500 MM Staff Suit USA 15 15
3546 Stewart AFB 6,590 6,590
Aafes - USA Totals 425,762 492,712 -66,950 86

Good Luck Everyone, Andy.

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

We have a new starter joining the Division this week and we would like to give a hearty welcome to :- ANDREW ISAAC

Andrew will very soon be flying off to the island of Bermuda to join Jamie Turner as Assistant Manager in our department within The English Sports Shop. Andrew is from Weymouth and has worked in Debenhams since 2000 and for BMB since 2003. Over his years with us he has repeatedly won Store of the Quarter and Store of the Month and will be a very good addition to the Bermuda Team to keep those $ increases going.

Whilst we are waiting for Andrew’s work permit to be sanctioned, he is undergoing training in Lakenheath with Gary Bloom. Due to the base restrictions in Germany, Gary has very kindly taken Andrew under his wing and is giving him his first week of “Alexandre” training before he arrives in Goole next week for made to measure training with Graham Rigby.

I am sure that you will all join me in welcoming Andrew to the Division and wishing him every success in the future.

SALES IN NOVEMBER

Here is a little bit of sales trivia for you. During the month of November, collectively across AAFES Europe, USA, Bermuda and Macy’s you have taken $660,268 on ready to wear and you have sold 6567 units comprising of:-

  • 2456 TIES
  • 1215 SHIRTS
  • 316 PAIRS OF CUFFLINKS
  • 945 SUITS
  • 541 MIXER TROUSERS
  • 437 MIXER JACKETS
  • 226 SPORTS JACKETS
  • 206 OVERCOATS
  • 144 SPORTS TROUSERS
  • 81 BLAZERS

Collectively on made to measure our sales were $194,833 and total orders of 470.

USA DELIVERIES

The final USA delivery prior to Christmas will leave Goole this week and will comprise of:-

  • Mtm POS from January thru to March
  • A Ready To Wear poster for Pre-Christmas Reductions
  • The last range of cuff links for Autumn
  • Plain black ties
  • Stationery Requests

If you have any stationery requests etc please make sure that we receive them in Goole prior to Thursday to ensure that we can meet your requests.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

happy birthday
  • STEVE HILL - 3502 FORT BELVOIR 6th DECEMBER

BACK CHAT

Watch out for the latest edition of Back Chat which will be sent to you during the course of the next couple of days.