With over 130 stores situated in the heart of communities across the UK, we recognise that our
operations play an important role in the lives of our customers and local communities. As a result,
we have a responsible attitude towards both social and environmental issues. Since our first branch opened in 1987, we have been trusted by over one million customers.
People
It is our people that make the success of Ramsdens possible.
The pursuit to do things better is only possible because of the hard work, dedication and enthusiasm of the people within the business. In return we are committed to create a working environment in which they can grow and develop, be well rewarded and well respected for what they contribute.
The Group is committed to supporting the people within the business by facilitating their development through comprehensive training programmes from a week long classroom based induction into the business, in-store mentoring supported by e-learning and area face to face training sessions, having one to one development discussions with all staff through to a Senior Management Leadership program for the top 30 people influencers in the business.
We believe in appointing the best person based purely on merit to any role within the business and where possible promoting from within. The two Regional Managers, four of the nine Area Managers and four of the six Internal Auditors and over 50% of the Branch Managers were promoted from within the business.
The Group has a philosophy of wanting to share the financial success of the business with staff. In addition to basic remuneration of pay and pension, each member of staff in head office or branch has the ability to earn a performance related bonus. The Group has introduced health insurance for its senior management team and all staff benefited from their birthday being an additional day's holiday in our last financial year and will do so again in the current financial year.
Staff engagement is important to the Board. The Group operates a staff suggestion scheme and a department feedback scheme. Both are well supported as our people contribute to how we can continue to evolve and improve our products or processes. A centrally issued weekly newsletter keeps all staff informed on Group matters.
Environment & Supply Chain
We also understand that, as a company, we can help make a difference to the environment. The Group continues to invest in varying recycling and energy savings initiatives such as LED lighting and with its foreign currency exchange service, providing customers their currency in a clear plastic bag which is the exact size to meet the airline requirements for carrying liquids on board in hand luggage.
The Group is constantly striving to reduce its carbon footprint through means of recycling as much as we can and using materials from sustainable sources where possible.
The Group has a limited number of key trade suppliers. Strong relationships have been built up over many years where the supplier and Ramsdens work together to improve the trade for both parties. The Group has sought assurance from its suppliers that they have no modern slavery practices within its supply chains. The Group's statement on its compliance with the Modern Slavery Act can be read here.
Community
The Group prides itself on its high repeat customer rates and the low number of complaints it receives and is committed to offering the highest standards of customer service. We appreciate at times things go wrong and the Ramsdens philosophy is to use a root cause analysis approach to put things right as quickly as possible and learn from any mistakes.
The Group is committed to engaging with its local communities and has assisted in a variety of fundraising initiative's raising money for both national and local charities.
The biggest event saw Ramsdens donate their advertising assets at Middlesbrough Football Club to two Teesside charities for a league game again Reading in February 2018.
The names of Teesside Hospice and Butterwick Hospice appeared across the front of Middlesbrough FC player's shirts as well as a text to donate and win scheme appearing on advertising boards, stadium TV screens and LED perimeter advertising. As a direct result of the charity takeover within the stadium, plus profits from the sale of player's shirts on eBay, bucket collections and a Boro Legends Sportsman's Dinner, the charity takeover raised over £18,000.
In addition, through donations of jewellery for raffle prizes and auctions, the Company has also supported MacMillan, Save the Children, Middlesbrough Teesside Philanthropic Foundation, Finlay Cooper Foundation, Motor Neurone Disease Association and promoted a matched funding scheme for staff taking part in various fundraising initiatives in their local communities around the country.