Showing posts with label Imports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Imports. Show all posts

Monday, 19 January 2009

The Italian Job


Edinburgh’s leading independent food specialist Valvona and Crolla is managing its margins with comparative currencies to ensure the continued supply of its world famous continental foods and specialist Italian wines in light of the current economic slowdown.

It’s times like these that companies trading across borders really notice the adverse effects of fluctuations and movements in the currency market. For those firms who rely on importing goods, ensuring the best and most competitive rate of exchange can often make the difference between a profit and loss.

“In the last few months the pound has seen its most rapid fall in value against the euro,” said Mark McElney, Managing Director of No1 Currency, “coupled with the slowdown in consumer spending, ensuring the best exchange rates available has never been so imperative.”

Mr McElney continued, “My advice to international traders is to examine and compare exchange rates offered by their banks to those offered by other international transfer services and currency specialists,” He added, “More often than not banks are charging way over the odds for international payments,”

As a worldwide specialist food trader, Scotland oldest and best loved Delicatessen and Italian wine merchant, Valvona and Crolla is no stranger to the impacts that can occur as a result of turbulence in the currency market. The company relies on the continued import of fresh Continental-European products and the cost of these imports will ultimately impact on the company’s bottom line.

So how is Edinburgh’s undisputed food heaven faring up in light of the current economic climate and the state of the foreign currency market?

Despite the turmoil in the currency markets and the current economic slowdown, Valvona and Crolla has gone from strength to strength expanding its outlets into Jenners Food Hall on Princes Street and Loch Lomond Shores as well as opening its second cafĂ© in House of Fraser at London’s Westfield shopping centre.

When importing fresh produce from abroad, Valvona and Crolla initially made international payments through its bank. However with the poor exchange rates and transaction fees being imposed by banks, Valvona and Crolla turned to their neighbour and local foreign currency specialist, No1 Currency, for more competitive exchange rates.

Managing Director of Valvona and Crolla, Philip Contini said, “We started using No1 Currency’s worldwide transfer services about 4 years ago for the purchase of our artisan food produce and specialist wines.”

“We discovered that using a foreign currency specialist such as No1 Currency was far cheaper than using the banks.” Mr Contini continued, “in fact by switching from our Bank to No1 Currency to make our transfers we saved around 20% which has certainly helped our margins.”

“Our trading needs change from month to month and many of our products are perishable, therefore it is vital for us that we are able to use a flexible transfer service that is fast and efficient.” Mr Contini explained, “No1 Currency tailored their service to fit our needs and provided unbeatable exchange rates which has really made a difference to our trading.”

“In today’s economic climate it is vital for all companies that rely on international export and import or deal in foreign currencies compare rates in the marketplace, making sure they are getting the best deal available.”

Last this year a €56,000 transaction through a high street bank would have cost £46,311. The same transaction made through No1 Currency would have cost £45,271*. That amounts to a £1,041 saving by simply using No1 Currency over a high street bank.

For SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) with typically low profit margins, the overall savings made on each transaction could seriously improve the business’ bottom line.

For forward thinking companies like Valvona and Crolla, No1 Currency has been providing Scottish businesses of all sizes with the best value and most competitive exchange rates available.

Monday, 25 August 2008

No.1 CURRENCY PROTECTS BUSINESSES FROM CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS

Recent research from No.1 Currency indicates that tough times lie ahead for Scottish businesses involved in international trade, as the pound falls to its lowest ever value against the euro.

According to No.1 Currency, businesses which rely on the import of international goods, to Scotland will struggle as the pound plummets in value.

Currency fluctuations can make a significant impact on business profits, especially for those small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with typically low profit margins.

The down turn in the economy is having its biggest impact on local businesses trading from Scotland who have failed to protect themselves against currency fluctuations.

But Scotland is not alone, it is estimated that 60% of SMEs in the UK, that conduct some of their business in a foreign currency, have no formal strategy to manage the risks of the foreign exchange (FX) market.

Mark McElney of No.1 Currency, said, “International commerce has increased, both across the UK and here in Scotland. It is vital that all companies that rely on international export and import or deal in foreign currencies protect themselves against the risks of the FX market”

Scotland’s smaller and unprotected trade businesses, who rely on importing goods, will suffer the most from the current state of the economic climate.

At the beginning of the year, a company importing €100,000 worth of widgets would have cost approximately £70,000, however, today this import would cost £80,000.

For smaller companies with a low profit margin, this £10,000 extra cost to purchase widgets from abroad, could seriously affect the business’ bottom line.

For those forward thinking companies, Edinburgh-based No.1 Currency, a leading international foreign currency specialist, has been protecting Scottish businesses of all sizes from this down turn in the economy with its forward contract options.

A forward contact allows a company to fix an exchange rate up to year in advance. This enables companies to lock into favourable exchange rates, while providing the added security of knowing exactly how much a future transaction will cost.

Mr McElney said “Few companies these days are truly isolated from the volatilities of the FX market. Those companies with a direct involvement have a duty to protect themselves.”

“The forward contract is the most widely used option for currency hedging, this is because, at no cost to the customer, we provide a risk-free predetermined exchange rate.”

“Essentially we take on the currency fluctuation risk involved with the transaction, allowing our clients to plan and forecast their finances in a secured environment.”

Visit http://www.no1currency.com/ for more information