The coronavirus pandemic has forced businesses to rethink their business strategies due to the abrupt shift in customer demand and behaviour. Home service companies are not exempt.
Home services like plumbing may be essential to everyday life, but it doesn’t mean the industry is resistant to the economic impacts of the health crisis. This is why it’s urgent for plumbing specialists to up their online marketing efforts in this critical time.
Below are some fundamental online marketing strategies to protect your business from the impacts of Covid-19.
Assess the situation.
You won’t be able to determine targeted solutions without identifying the problem first. Before jumping the gun, evaluate the situation of your business in terms of the following:
Pin down the problem. Assess which specific part of your business is experiencing a slowdown or which jobs are not receiving enough calls. Are you receiving cancellation calls for installation or maintenance services? Are leads becoming few and far in between? Is there a drop off in your organic or paid leads? Once you pinpoint the problem, you can create a hypothesis for it and explore possible solutions.
Know where your customers are at present. With the lockdown measures in place, people now have plenty of free time in their schedules. The majority of them are also spending more time on social media, either to entertain themselves, read the news, or connect with their loved ones. Take advantage of this trend to reach potential customersand be more active on social media. If you are out of strategies how to market, you can always ask experts; there are offers for social media services.
Focus your budget on in-demand services.
You don’t need to cut off your marketing budget to minimize spending. Direct your paid search advertising budget on the services with the highest need.
Remember that you still need to be visible online, ready to respond to your customers’ needs. Even while quarantined, there will always be someone in your area who will need plumber Bolton to fix their clogged drains or broken septic system.
Learn how search trends are evolving so you can adjust your spending. Pour your budget into the keywords that are most likely to yield new jobs for your business. Also, research on the trending services in your area.
Invest in boosting awareness of your brand.
Considering people are spending more time online during these times, it’s an excellent opportunity to draw the attention of the people in your location to your business.
These days, people linger on platforms like Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram more often. Create ads to capture people from these sites. Share relevant and helpful content to attract potential customers. Take the time to raise awareness on your company and your services.
Build trust among your audience.
Everyone at this point is concerned for their health and wellbeing. Reassure your audience and existing customers that safety and cleanliness are your business’ priority. Your marketing messages should convey to them that you observe the highest standard of sanitation to protect your team and customers’ welfare.
Ensure that your team is wearing complete personal protective equipment when going on the field. Inform your customers about the measures you have in place to reduce infection risk. You can create blog posts or video messages out to get your message across.
Connect with your community.
Being involved in your community shows your customers that you care about your collective safety. A great way to establish your presence in your community is to join and be active in plumbing-related forums. Find out what plumbing issues or concerns people are talking about. Give them substantial answers.
As you do so, remember to introduce yourself and your company so they know that they’re hearing from an expert in the field. You can also provide links to specific articles from your website that delve deeper into the topic at hand.
If you’re new to the industry, seek the assistance of a marketing agency that specializes in SEO in Hamilton or digital marketing tailored for plumbing companies. For instance, there are offers a wide range of digital marketing services especially for Canadian plumbers.
The advantage of hiring a marketing specialist in your niche is that they know the ins and outs of your industry. They also take time to study the psychology and behaviour of your target customers. You can expect professional advice based on the current trends of your business.
Diageo on Tuesday announced the sale of its majority shareholding in Guinness Ghana Breweries plc to Castel Group.
A key player in the production and distribution of beverages across Africa, Castel will acquire Diageo’s 80.4 per cent stake in the local unit for $81 million (£65.2m).
Diageo will retain ownership of the Guinness brand, and other Diageo brands currently produced by Guinness Ghana (Malta, Orijin, Smirnoff Ice and Alvaro, and mainstream spirits) will be licensed to Guinness Ghana under a new long-term license and royalty agreement.
Diageo said it will continue to drive the brand and marketing strategy for the Guinness brand, in partnership with Castel, to promote continued growth and development in the country.
“Guinness Ghana is performing strongly powered by a fantastic team of people. Through this transaction, I look forward to the Guinness brand continuing to thrive and delivering further growth,” Dayalan Nayager, president Diageo Africa and chief commercial officer, said.
“I am excited to extend our partnership with Castel, a long-term partner in the region with a proven track record.”
Castel Group has significant and extensive expertise across West and Central Africa, and are a partner to Diageo in 11 other markets in Africa.
“This acquisition exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit that drives Castel and marks a new milestone in our growth ambition,” Gregory Clerc, Castel chief executive, said.
“It reflects our ability to go where we are least expected, exploring new horizons on a continent full of opportunities. With this 22nd African country, we reaffirm our dynamism, our boldness, and our confidence in Africa’s potential.”
The company said the latest transaction, and the expanded long-term partnership with Castel, further demonstrates its “active portfolio management and commitment to building an efficient operating model” in West Africa that is structured to deliver long-term and sustainable growth.
The announcement follows the sale in September 2024 of Diageo’s shareholding in Guinness Nigeria plc to Tolaram; the announcement in October 2023 of a wholly-owned dedicated spirits company to strengthen Diageo’s international premium spirits business and serve a wider geographic reach across West Africa; and the sale of Guinness Cameroon to Castel in July 2022.
Diageo’s footprint across Africa consists of East African Breweries Limited (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda) and Diageo South West Central, and the company is present in 34 countries with strategic beer and spirits distributors.
The Wrexham Lager Beer Co has announced its expansion into the Hungary market, securing a partnership with Drink Station, a leading importer and distributor of beer in the country.
Servicing both the on and off trade, Hungary will see Wrexham Lager, Wrexham Export and Wrexham Pilsner hit the market in the 440ml can, 330ml bottle and 5L keg formats.
Now co-owned by Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, alongside the Roberts family from Wrexham who took over the running of the brewery in 2011, the new listing follows the company’s recent successful expansion into the US, Australian and Scandinavian markets.
CEO of The Wrexham Lager Beer Co said: “Expanding into Hungary marks an exciting new chapter for Wrexham Lager Beer Co as we continue to grow our presence throughout Europe,” James Wright, chief executive, said.
“We believe our authentic beer, steeped in over 100 years of history, will not only appeal to Hungarian beer lovers, but also introduce them to a new dimension of flavour forged by our commitment to proper lagering.
“2025 is set to be another year of significant growth for Wrexham Lager Beer Co and we look forward to seeing how our product lands in Hungary.”
The Wrexham Lager Beer Co produces high-quality lager beer made with the finest ingredients, using a unique original recipe that is over 140 years old and still to this day follows those traditional Bavarian methods of its founders.
On the same day Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced plans to kickstart the UK’s floundering economy, the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) revealed in its latest Market Insight Report that 80 per cent of survey respondents expect the Scottish economy to decline – with six per cent considering closing their premises.
The SLTA's report gives a snapshot survey of the challenges faced by Scotland’s pubs, bars and hospitality venues in the year 2024, with a deep dive into the festive trading period, and the expectations of the sector in 2025.
It reveals that the Scottish licensed hospitality industry ventures into 2025 with concerns over continued pressure from rising costs, staff availability, changes to employers’ national insurance contributions, and low economic confidence.
The survey’s responses represent over 400 pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels, covering the full spectrum of licensed hospitality businesses throughout the country, and contain key insights into the continued challenges facing hospitality, driven by a challenging economic environment and visitors with less disposable income.
“Christmas and New Year was a difficult period for our industry with a universal theme of visitors spending less time in outlets and spending less on food and drink. We did see an upturn in lower-strength products, but this was offset by customers having ‘one course instead of two," said Colin Wilkinson, SLTA managing director.
“Over the course of the calendar year, 49 per cent of outlets were down year on year, but over the festive period this increased to a worrying 69 per cent of outlets reporting a decline.’’
Mr Wilkinson added: ‘‘We also continue to face rising costs and staff shortages – 38 per cent of outlets told us that staff availability is impacting upon opening hours, up from 23 per cent in the summer. We are also seeing increased costs from suppliers and government increases in taxes.
“Regarding the pending changes to NI contributions, 75 per cent of outlets expect new employers’ NI costs to impact on their staffing levels. This will make it even more difficult for businesses to open their full operating hours, remain competitive and get more people into our venues.
“We are also facing the harsh reality that six per cent of respondents are seriously considering closure.”
The SLTA has been conducting Market Insight Surveys for nearly 10 years with the analysis based on quantitative research from outlets covering the length and breadth of the country. This survey is supported by major food and drink chains, and independent pubs, bars and hotels, across Scotland’s licensed hospitality sector.
Commenting on staff availability and how the government can support the sector, Mr Wilkinson added: “One proposal that the SLTA supports is the introduction of a Scottish hospitality workers’ visa, which could help to alleviate staff shortages.
“The hospitality industry fulfils a critical role in Scotland’s food, drink and tourism industry, and we are keen to work with government to explore opportunities to protect jobs in this vital sector and help businesses to work to their full potential.”
An undercover operation conducted by Japan Tobacco International (JTI) in Crewe has shone a light on illicit tobacco activity in the town with eight stores found to be selling illegal tobacco products.
The exercise, which involved undercover operatives making multiple test purchases, has added to the growing evidence that illicit tobacco and vapes sales are rife across the UK.
Counterfeit Amber Leaf hand rolling tobacco was bought for as little as £3, compared to £38.10 for the genuine product. The highest price paid on the day was £7, also for a counterfeit version.
Counterfeit Winston cigarettes were bought for £4, compared to £14.25 for the genuine product.
Three of the stores tested were also found to be selling illegal products during a similar exercise in 2021.
All evidence and information gathered has been made available to Trading Standards and HM Revenue & Customs in anticipation that it will support their efforts to enforce and prosecute anyone found to be selling illegal products.
“It is shocking that these criminals are selling illegal tobacco in the town where JTI has its national distribution centre and is a prominent employer," said Ian Howell, Public Affairs Manager at JTI UK.
Cheshire East Council has stated that, "illicit tobacco has proven links to organised crime and the sale of such products can contribute to human trafficking, modern slavery, prostitution and terrorism".
Howell added: “Crewe’s residents need to think about this when they are, or they see others, buying a cheap pack of cigarettes or hand rolling tobacco.
“JTI calls on anyone with information about the sale of illegal tobacco or vapes to contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133, or through Cheshire East Council’s website.”
If anyone knows of a store that is selling illicit tobacco or vapes, they should report them by calling Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 or contact HM Revenue & Customs’ Fraud Hotline (0800 788 887), or Crimestoppers (0800 555 111).
A.G. Barr, the beverage company behind brands like IRN-BRU, Rubicon, Boost, and FUNKIN, has announced a sparkling trading update for the full year ending January 25, 2025, anticipating sustained revenue growth and double-digit profit growth.
A.G. Barr expects revenue of approximately £420 million for the 2024/25 fiscal year, a 5 per cent increase from the previous year's £400 million. The company also anticipates a strong improvement in its adjusted operating margin, which is projected to rise to 13.5 per cent, up from 12.3 per cent in 2023/24. This margin expansion has driven double-digit growth in adjusted profit before tax, reflecting the company’s focus on operational efficiency and strategic investments.
“A.G. Barr is in line to deliver another year of strong top line growth, margin improvement and cash generation. These headline metrics highlight excellent progress towards our long-term financial goals,” Euan Sutherland, chief executive, commented. “We have sustained brand momentum despite the well-trailed wider market pressures, and continue to make good progress towards our margin target.”
The company’s core soft drinks brands—IRN-BRU, Rubicon, and Boost—all delivered strong performances. Rubicon stood out with another year of double-digit revenue growth, while IRN-BRU solidified its position as one of the top five carbonates in the UK. Boost, which shifted its strategy to focus on value over volume, saw a notable improvement in profitability in the second half of the year.
FUNKIN's ready-to-drink business also saw rapid growth, driven by increased retail distribution and innovative new products. This growth helped offset ongoing difficulties in the on-premise market, the company said.
Convenience channel focus
A.G. Barr also announced the successful completion of strategic projects to strengthen its convenience channel route to market and integrate the Boost business. These initiatives are expected to generate significant commercial and operational synergies, although they did incur a one-off cost of approximately £5 million in 2024/25.
The company continues to invest in its supply chain, with capital expenditure of around £19 million this year. This investment includes a new small format PET line and an upgraded large format PET line at its Cumbernauld site, boosting capacity and capabilities.
“We are committed to consistent long-term revenue growth and have confidence in further margin improvement as per our previous guidance,” Sutherland said, adding that the company’s outlook for 2025/26 is in line with market expectations – revenue growing to £439.4m; adjusted profit before tax at £65.0m and adjusted operating margin rising to 14.5 per cent.
The company will report full year results for 2024/25 year on 25 March.