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PLC Time Pace PLC/Group PLC/Sex Bib# Name Town, State ocalarun.org | Used Syneron Comet - Used Syneron Comet For Sale medproonline.com | Used Syneron Comet - Used Syneron Comet For Sale medprolasers.com |
Comet is an electrical retailer in the United Kingdom, which is owned by Kesa Electricals plc after the demerger of Kingfisher plc. The group was founded in 1933 by George Hollingberry in Hull as Comet Battery Stores Limited. The retailer specialises in electrical retailing after Comet demerged from Kingfisher, which also owns electrical retailer Laskys and DIY store B&Q and formerly Woolworths and Superdrug, in 2003 to form a new group under the Kingfisher Electricals S.A. umbrella. On 18 August 2005, Comet underwent a £20 million re branding campaign to differentiate itself from other players in the market, mainly Currys, as both company logos were in white print against a red background and the company names were 'similar'. It was often the case that customers would buy an item from Currys and attempt to return it to Comet, either believing the two companies were part of the same brand or simply mistaking the two. Comet operate a policy called Every Day Low Pricing. With this, they check competitors' prices and where they find lower prices they lower their own to match. Like many retailers they back this up with a 'price promise'. This states that if a customer finds the same product on sale at another retailer locally (within 10 miles) for less, then Comet will match this price. The product needs to be the exact same model, sealed new, in stock from the other retailer within 10 miles of the purchase store, and verifiable. They do not match Internet sites or warehouse outlets such as Makro as they do not offer the service and advice that Comet does in store. The price promise can be used at the time of purchase or at any time within the first 14 days after purchase.
[edit] Store types The retailer has around 250 stores in the UK in three different layouts. The 'high street' style store contains large display cases stocking mainly small domestic appliances such as grey and brown goods with others in warehouses and few items available for self select. The 'core' store, larger than the previous, stocks a larger range of goods to include white goods. Some items are self select; other larger items are kept in a warehouse. The 'destination' store, stocks nearly the whole range that Comet sells, many items are self select except for very large and delivery only items. These stores will also stock many of what Comet calls the 'premier collection'. These are products by well-known brands such as, Panasonic, Pioneer, Apple, Sony, Samsung, Philips, AEG and Miele. Through Kesa, Comet also sell their own brand products covering most categories of small electricals under the name ProLine. Kesa Electricals have also unveiled plans for forty two-storey Comet outlets by putting mezzanine levels into some of its 250 Comet stores, starting with 10 in 2007. Kesa, who launched a combined television, phone and internet service at its French chain Darty, ruled out bringing a similar service to the UK. Hugh Harvey, Comet's managing director, said the UK chain would "stick to a traditional retail offer while we watch Mr Murdoch and Mr Branson fight it out." In France, 28,000 subscribers had signed up to DartyBox by the end of January 2007 with a further 140,000 more subscribers by the end of 2007.[1] [edit] SloganComet's slogan is "We live electricals". Its mascot is a small man wearing a helmet with a comet on it and riding a scooter. The slogan can also be seen on the side of Comet's delivery vans. Edith Bowman is the voice of the television and radio adverts for Comet since 2005. The company are now trialing a new series of TV adverts, with a new slogan; "We deal in your ideal". The new adverts see the old animated style dropped for live action film, but retain the voice of Edith Bowman who is Scottish. [edit] CriticismIn the past Comet has come under fire for poor customer service issues[2] and inadequately trained sales staff.[3] Complaints about Comet's refusal to refund faulty products have led to investigation by Trading Standards.[4] In recent years, Comet has invested considerably in staff training,customer store care and after sales care to address such criticism. [edit] DistributionComet out-source their distribution operations to Wincanton and DHL. They have recently invested millions of pounds moving their southern Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) from River Way in Harlow to a state-of-the-art warehouse on Edinburgh Way, Harlow. In addition to their 'New Harlow' RDC, they have a further RDC in Skelmersdale and a National Distribution Centre (NDC) in Corby, Northamptonshire. [edit] Financial results
In 2007 Comet gave in their 11 week financial results which put their sales up 8%, this means that Comet is still second for electronics but closing in on their rival, Currys. Mr Harvey said Comet was outperforming Currys because of the "quality of advice we give our customers". He said the chain also offered "greater choice and more options in terms of high-end brands". Comet is rolling out a support service for baffled PC users called "Comet on Call" after a successful trial in 34 stores. [edit] Competitors
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