Online At Last!

We've been toying (excuse the pun) with the idea of a website for some time now.  We've looked at having professionally designed sites from large UK based companies, local website design businesses as well as off-the-shelf packages from a variety of different online companies.  At first we set our goal really high, wanting a major launch with all singing and dancing features on it.  We contacted a fantastic company in The Midlands, who gave us a snapshot of exactly what we wanted, albeit at a price that reflected all the extras we'd requested.  When we sat back and really thought about it though, we realised that we needed to test the market first, making sure that a fully e-commerce website is the way forward for us.  The online side of our business is relatively new to us and we want to be able to have gradual learning process, rather than the steep curve that hit us when we opened the high street shop last year.

Image is important to us and we need a strong website, that reflects our professional family oriented business.  However as a new company we really have to keep an eye on cash flow, so a low-cost solution is essential.  After much review we have opted for a create-your-own site from the aptly named create that our  resident Gadgetman, Gerard, has been getting to grips with over the past few months.

We are delighted to announce that we've now published the first version of our site - available to view at www.thehubdirect.co.uk.  As with all of the elements of our business, it is a work in progress, that we will continue to grow and develop over time.  However, we think as a first attempt, dipping our toe in the water, rather than leaping head first, it's a pretty good site.  Of course we can't progress it without your help...so please give us your feedback here and let us know which products you would like to see available online!

Fabulous Fathers!

Well we can't let this week go by without mentioning the fact that it's Father's Day on Sunday (19th June).  I don't know about you but I always find this day the hardest one to find a suitable gift for.  With mother's day it's always easy, flowers, chocolates, perfume, books all spring instantly to mind.  However, when it comes to Father's Day I often struggle coming up with a gift idea that's novel without being tacky - there's only so many "bottle of wine in a glass" glasses each household needs!

Of course, like many other mums out there, I have the added problem that our children are still quite young, so not only do I have my dad to think of, but also my husband!!!!   Double Trouble!

So this year we've put together a few ideas on our Facebook Page to help you (and me) out.  From Wallet Sized bottle openers in a clever little Father's Day pod.....

Fathers Day Pod including Wallet Bottle Opener £6.99

 
...to the ultimate combination of supercars and computers - the motormouse wireless mouse.

Motormouse Wireless Mouse available in Blue, Red & Black £29.99

If you are still struggling for ideas, we also have some fantastic films in that Dad is sure to love, why not add a bottle of wine and some popcorn too and give him exactly what he wants....the movie of his choice and full control of the TV remote!

Angus The Bull - The Perfect Wine for Steak

As you know, at The Hub we like our exclusives!  We try to extend this throughout our product range offering superb quality products that have a something unique about them.  Our latest addition under this heading is Angus The Bull Cabernet Sauvignon, produced by the Aberdeen Wine Company (can't get more Scottish than that!).

Angus The Bull Cabernet Sauvignon £13.49

This incredible wine is the result of tireless work by Hamish MacGowan to produce the ultimate bottle of wine as an accompaniment to prime beef.  He chose to work exclusively with Cabernet Sauvignon, hand selecting and blending the best parcels from outstanding wine regions in Australia, producing one vintage each year.  

Currently The Hub is the only retailer in Scotland to sell this exceptional wine.  The concentrated ripe fruits, integrated savoury oak and powerful finish make it the perfect wine to enjoy with Steak and BBQ'd meats.   If you have a romantic night in planned, or are looking for a great gift for dad next Sunday look no further than Angus The Bull. 

Blustery Days

This week there really has been only one topic of conversation...the weather!  What with the Gale Force Winds and the Ash Cloud....everything is very uncertain and unsettled at the moment!

Unfortunately this has resulted in a bit of damage to Dunblane High Street, forcing the road to be closed this evening.  We found this out when a customer popped in to hire a film and commented on the closure signs, expecting us to know why it was shut.  A reasonable expectation as one of the few businesses open later in the evening on the High Street.  I duly ventured up the street to talk to one of the 3 hard hat wearing council officials hovering about two thirds of the way up the street.   

They pointed out the damaged drain still attached (just) to the side of one of the buildings.  Understandably the road has to be closed due to Health & Safety reasons (in my past life I was a Health & Safety officer, so I completely get why it's closed).  What I don't "get", however is the lack of communication from our Council about what they are doing.  When I suggested (politely, honestly) that maybe the council could have let us know as they closed the road, or even popped it on Facebook, I was met with a glare that could have turned me to stone, from the suited hard hat wearing council official!  "It is on Facebook, I authorised that ages ago", snapped he....well Stirling Council (and I would love it if they did read this)...nope - it's not there!  When enquiring further about how long it may be shut, the hostility hardened, I wasn't expecting a precise time to the minute, but as a trader i do have a vested interest in knowing! 

It's not so much the fact that the road is closed, but that repeated attempts by us to communicate with our local council is met with such defensiveness and hostility.  As a high street retailer is it really too much to expect to be informed of decisions that affect our business, even last minute unexpected ones!  Facebook and Twitter are Social Networking sites that allow all businesses and individuals to communicate in an instant!  This kind of technology should be embraced by groups such as local councils and utilised to get across unexpected events in particular!  How long did it take me to update facebook informing our customers of the closure...minutes!

So there you have it - rant over!  Normally I try to keep these things away from our company profile, but when it comes to such unaprochable behaviour from faceless organisations sometimes venting is the only way!

Moshi Monster Mania

Each year there are certain crazes that hit school playgrounds out of nowhere, and for 2011 the unexpected runaway success has definitely been Moshi Monsters. 

For those of you who haven't heard of this phenomenon...Moshi Monsters is an online game where you can adopt and look after a little monster (there are 6 different types to choose from).  You can then accompany them around Monstro City making friends, playing games to collect "rox" (moshi currency) and buying seeds to plant to attract "moshlings" (moshi-monster pets). 

Moshi Monsters Mash-Up Trading Cards, 75p

As described in this article in The Guardian newspaper the craze that is Moshi Monsters is no longer limited to the online game.  Mind Candy have seized the moment and created toys and collectables to amuse children of all ages.  We've seen tremendous demand in the shop from boys and girls for the Mash-Up Trading Cards and Starter Packs.  Moshi Monster Clubs have also been springing up at the local schools, with kids getting involved in writing guidelines for responsible trading, to make sure even the youngest moshi fan can join in. 

Back in February we got supply of little collectable characters, called Moshlings.  These were available in blister packs and foil bags and were an overnight hit with local kids who saved up their pocket money to put towards these treats.  However, the success of this game and the associated products have taken the Toy Industry by storm...and almost as soon as we had introduced these little guys, supply dried up nationwide.  It's been a long few months for young collectors, but we are delighted to say that they are finally back and we expect to receive our first order of foil pack moshlings tomorrow (Thursday 19th).  

Moshi Monsters Moshlings Foil Pack, £1.99

Together with the Moshling Foil Packs we have also managed to source more of the Talking Moshi Monsters.  These large plush creatures each chatter away and giggle in Moshi when you squeeze their tummies, they come in the 6 different Moshi-Monster designs - Katsuma, Luvli, Zommer, Diavlo, Furi and Poppet.

Talking Moshi Monster Plush Toy, £14.99

If you have a moshi-fan in your house and haven't had a shot yet, why not give some of the puzzles and games a go with your child.  They really do teach the kids who are playing it something, and are lots of fun.  You'll also be delighted to know, that with the great range of products available, it shouldn't be too difficult to encourage them away from the computer screen to help with a chore or two to ensure that pocket money is well and truly earned!

The King's Speech and Movie Mayhem

We've had The Hub now for over a year and I have never before seen such an incredible response to a film.  On Monday last week at 9.30am we had a customer waiting outside the shop desperate to rent "The King's Speech" as soon as it hit our shelves.  

Winner of 4 Academy Awards (including best picture & best actor), and 7 BAFTA's (including best film and best actor), The King's Speech tells the story of King George VI who is suddenly thrust into the public limelight following the abdication of his brother King Edward VIII. 

Screenwriter David Seidler started research on the story in the late 1970's and early 1980's.  It's based on true events and thus Seidler found it easy to gather information about the King, but struggled with his research on speech therapist Lionel Lougue.  In the end he contacted Dr Valentine Lougue, who agreed to discuss his father and make the relevant notebooks available if the Queen Mother agreed.  She did give permission, but requested it not to be in her lifetime, so the project was halted until  2006.  

Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter offer incredible performances throughout the film and whilst there is strong language in the film, it is all within context, making it a great choice for the majority of the family.  

As it was such a huge box office hit (costing $15 million and grossing $400 million) we weren't sure how successful it would be as a rental movie in The Hub.  However, it has been the most rented out film of the month so far, and if the trend continues, looks set to overtake Sherlock Holmes, our most rented movie ever. 

Facebook - Friend or Foe?

We’ve had a lot of queries in the shop recently about Facebook and concerns over how safe it is for people using it. Facebook is a fantastic social networking site that most users love, and with a little bit of common sense it can be used very safely.

Here are some of our top tips on keeping your personal account safe on Facebook:

1. Be the right age – Facebook has set a minimum age limit of 13 to create an account. If you suspect someone younger than that has set up an account then contact Facebook to let them know.

2. Don’t share your Password – It seems simple, but don’t share your password with anyone, not even your significant other or best friend.

3. Accept friend requests safely – only accept friend requests from people you know in real life. If you receive any suspicious messages or requests report them to Facebook. You can edit your friends even once they’ve been accepted to remove anyone you don’t actually know. (Don’t worry it doesn’t send them a message to say you’ve removed them or ignored a request, they simply don’t see your details any more).

4. Use the Privacy Settings - Find out about the Privacy Settings available in Facebook by logging in, selecting “Account” and then “Privacy Settings”. They work hard to make sure you can customise settings to your preference and select who can and cannot see your information.

5. Think about what information you are posting – Remember that you are allowing people to see this information about you, in particular consider hiding any information about your date of birth, home address, place of school/work and telephone contact details.

6. Select Photo’s carefully – These images will be available to all for a long time. Look to the future and whether or not you would be happy for parents or employers to see these images of you.

7. Take things with a pinch of salt – Remember that not everyone tells the truth all the time on social networking sites such as Facebook.

Above all, remember that this is a social networking site. In order to have fun with it you do need to share some information and get involved with other people. It can be a great way of keeping in touch with distant friends or family or to stay up to date with local businesses and special offers. For the majority of users it is a safe, useful site that enhances your social life!

As a business we use Facebook as a way of telling our "likers" about the latest product arrivals, film reviews, wine tasting notes and just as an informal way of keeping in touch.  We regularly do Facebook special offers which are exclusive to our fans on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thehubdirect  

If you have any queries about Facebook or any other privacy issues relating to your computer pop into the store to speak to The Gadgetman (or message us on Facebook ;)