Last week, the trio of Sale Sharks and international rugby stars got off on the right foot as they showed their support for local family business, Lancashire-headquartered Wynsors World of Shoes (Wynsors).
Through its partnership with Premiership Rugby, Gallagher is bringing to life and promoting the stories of six UK businesses and a regional children’s charity that have shown resilience, tenacity and pioneering spirit during the pandemic.
As part of the campaign, Lancashire-headquartered Wynsors, a UK family footwear retailer established in 1956, which has 46 stores across the North-West as well as further afield into Yorkshire and the North-East, has been paired with the northern powerhouse and Gallagher Premiership club, Sale Sharks, to help give the firm an extra boost during these tough times.
World Cup winner Faf de Klerk, England winger Marland Yarde and rising star Ben Curry, all sampled a range of products and engaged virtually with employees, offering up signed boots that certainly won’t be hitting the shelves.
Prior to the pandemic, roughly 90% of Wynsors’ trade was from local high street shops across the North of England, so the prolonged closure of stores has had a huge impact on the business. In the face of these challenges Wynsors has continued to invest in its online sales channels, which has grown significantly for the business.
Recognised by Gallagher for its resilience, Wynsors is being rewarded with a host of opportunities to promote the business through the power of the Gallagher Premiership and take them to new audiences.
Mark Chalmers, Finance Director of Wynsors World of Shoes, said:
“The past 12 months have been hugely challenging for many businesses and Wynsors is no exception. As the pandemic hit last year, forcing our stores to shut their doors, we had to adapt rapidly and develop a brand-new online offering just to remain trading.
“Online sales have since become a major sales outlet for us, and Gallagher has provided us with ongoing support advising on risk and insurance cover to ensure our empty premises remained fully insured and helping us to manage costs by reducing cover on vehicles that are temporarily not in use. “To be able to take part in promotional activity with a huge sports team like Sale Sharks is a sensational opportunity for us and we are excited about the doors this will open for us, as we also look forward to reopening those of our stores.”
Michael Rea, Chief Executive of Gallagher’s UK Retail Division, commented:
“As a local insurance broker, Gallagher is working around the clock with UK businesses – large and small – to help them navigate the challenges and evolving risks that have arisen from the tough trading conditions of the past 12 months.
“Businesses have been left grappling with lockdowns, changes to their insurance requirements, and understanding new risk exposures, with many being forced to quickly adapt their offering or diversify their business model in response to the pandemic and lockdown restrictions.
“It has been incredible to see the optimism and tenacity of some of these businesses and we wanted to take a moment to champion and recognise both the challenges and opportunities presented during an extraordinary period through our ‘Tackling Tomorrow. Together’ initiative.”
As part of the Tackling Tomorrow. Together campaign, Wynsors will also be promoted on match day at Sale when COVID-restrictions allow, with the local business benefiting from increased exposure off the back of the in-stadia advertising. Employees from the business will also have the chance to attend a game to support Faf, Marland and Ben from the stands, whilst hosting clients.
In addition to the rugby-related package, Gallagher will continue to offer specialist broking advice and support to Wynsors.
