Rent-to-own News

Rent-to-own News - BrightHouse picks up 'Retail Rising' awards

September 10, 2010

BrightHouse the UK’s leading rent-to-own retailer recently picked up the prize for Buyer/Merchandiser of the year and Supply Chain Professional of the Year this week at the Skillsmart Retail Rising Stars Awards held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London.

The best of the retail industry were recognised with a coveted Rising Star Award at the glamorous awards, recognising those who make a real difference to their company’s performance. Dragon and retail magnate, Theo Paphitis gave a compelling and uplifting welcome speech to the packed Ballroom of the Grosvenor House.

In it he said:

“I congratulate all of the finalists in the Skillsmart Retail Rising Stars Awards. These people are an inspiration to the industry and are great examples of the drive, commitment, enthusiasm and sheer passion required to make it in retail.”

Dene Hamil, a Category Manager for BrightHouse and Mark Lynch Head of buying and Supply chain were delighted with winning this prestigious award. Tim Danaher, editor of Retail Week commented: “The judges were really knocked out by the quality of the candidates this year and we had a very tough job to pick the winners of the categories, and an overall winner, our Rising Star of the Year 2010. This is the sixth year of the awards and I’m delighted that yet again we had more entries from more major retailers than ever before, and it’s great to see so many of you here with us tonight.

This evening is a celebration of everything that’s good about retail, and the best thing about retail is the people who work in it.”

The Awards proved to be a fantastic night, bringing together nearly 500 retail professionals to honour those who have performed outstandingly over the last year. Comedian Alun Cochrane hosted the ceremony and guests enjoyed the post awards disco until the early hours.

For more information on the Rising Stars Awards, please visit www.retailweekrisingstars.co.uk.
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The Association of Progressive Rental Organizations is the official voice of the rent-to-own industry and the most accurate and trustworthy source of rent-to-own news in the industry. Founded in 1980, APRO is the national, nonprofit trade association advocating and representing the rent-to-own industry before the U.S. Congress, state legislatures, courts, media and the public.

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APRO's new, mobile-ready magazine is now available in addition to our print edition. The digital format provides the same informative content as our printed magazine, but also offers tools to make the reading experience more enriching. Access the table of contents page with one click or tap. Get additional information from advertisers by clicking on the links in their ads. The interface is easy to navigate and requires no special app—read our magazine on your computer, digital table or smartphone. Click here to access the digital version of RTOHQ: The Magazine March-April 2012.

A New Rent-to-Own Experience

by Neil Ferguson

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Who Is Your Competition?

by Bill Keese

In order to expand your customer base, you can learn a lot by observing your competitors. But first, you need to figure out just who they are. If you think your only competition is the rent-to-own store down the street, you’re not considering the bigger picture. APRO’s executive director offers a big-picture perspective.

A Review of Online Customer Complaints

by Ed Winn III

While rent-to-own companies have not cornered the market on negative reviews posted on consumer complaint websites, it’s no surprise that there are cyberspace beefs against RTO. APRO’s general counsel reviews some of them in search of a pattern and he considers appropriate response to online complaints.

Rent-to-Own Families, Part VIII

by Kristen Card

Our series of family-run rent-to-own businesses continues with profiles of the Homeiers in Kansas and two Texas-based sets of kindred colleagues, the Spangles and the Weisblatts.

Future issues of APRO's magazine will be available in this same new format. Click here to access past issues that are not yet archived in the new interface.

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