A specialist retail marketing company has completed the seven-figure acquisition of a fellow North East business who are experts in retail gift cards and loyalty schemes.
Seaham-based Redu Group, which has developed a range of tech-savvy operations that offer money saving incentives for millions of UK consumers, as well as retail insight and employer loyalty schemes for a host of High Street names, says its acquisition of Northumberland-based MBL Solutions will unlock ‘endless opportunities’ for a whole range of B2B and B2C operations across the UK.
Redu counts Hays Travel and Asda among its many well-known clients and with MBL Solutions providing services to the likes of Greggs and Caffe Nero, Redu CEO Gary Hunter says the new addition offers a compelling offer for any large or small business wanting to develop better relationships and understanding of its customers.
Gary said: “We’ve developed a fantastic working partnership with the team at MBL Solutions over the last 12 months through two very complementary business models. While we’ve predominantly focused our business on understanding shoppers’ behaviours and helping people save money, their expertise has allowed us to get involved in more parts of the loyalty marketplace.
“The marriage of our teams makes this a potent offering for any retail business looking to develop more meaningful and insightful relationships with their customers as well as drive increased revenue.
“More than ever, employers will need to engage their staff and make them feel appreciated with the necessary increase in home working, so the meteoric rise in gift codes and how they can be used to surprise and delight will see huge growth in this sector. With our data and experience within consumer/employee marketing plus MBL’s market-leading gift code management and distribution technology, the future is very exciting.”
Weightmans, the leading UK law firm which has eight sites across the UK, including Central Newcastle, acted on behalf of Redu Group, who have immediately promoted Warrick Lambert into the role of managing director of the new-look Group operations.
MBL Solutions’ outgoing managing director, Oliver Stephens launched the company almost 20 years ago and his team will continue to operate from its Cramlington base. He said: “Becoming part of the Redu Group made perfect operational and business sense. I’m really excited at the prospect of our team adding its years of experience in the gifting and reward sector to Redu’s acute understanding of customer behaviours. Jointly, they make a very attractive proposition for the markets we work in.”
Since their launch in 2014 Redu has developed internal data analysis software, and focussed on driving incremental sales for top high street retailers and SME stores. They do this by building engaged audience sets on social, web and mobile.
Redu also launched a unique FREE employee benefit platform in 2019, already used by over 100 employers including many household names like Eddie Stobart and Hays Travel.
Media information: Christian Cerisola / 07824 553170 / cerisolachristian@gmail.com
