Not an 'everyday' occurance!.....

4th July 2005 saw the unveiling of Everyday Financial Solutions (EFS) new state of the art Customer Contact Centre in Aintree, Liverpool. A significant milestone in the creation of Littlewoods Shop Direct Groups Financial Services business and heralded in the North West as a significant step in the ongoing regeneration of this part of the region.

EFS was created by merging the Financial Services business of Littlewoods and Shop Direct, two retailers who were acquired by private equity investors and which combined now form the UK's biggest shop @ home group.

EFS offers the customers of Littlewoods Shop Direct Home Shopping Limited brands a range of credit, cards, insurance and warranty offerings.

The new business was the result of a two year programme of transformational change which touched all aspects of the business.

Key to the creation of the EFS business was:

• new product propositions across the full product range
• negotiation of strategic partnerships and alliances
• implementation of new processes enabled by the installation of industry standard software in the core functions of the business
• significant site rationalisation (8 sites to 3)
•  wholesale staff re-training and a major recruitment initiative to staff up the new facilities to meet customer demand.

A great start to a new day for a business with a bright future of which I am sure we will hear more.