Following the retirement of Gavin Redhead after 29 years at Astley, we are delighted to be able to announce that James Mavi has stepped into the Managing Director role at Astley.
Expertise
James was hired as Head of Sales in 2018 before moving into the Sales & Marketing Director role since 2022.
James has played a major role in driving our sales performance and business growth and has offered insight into customer relationships and market dynamics which has been instrumental in positioning us as a trusted partner to clients across a wide range of industries.
As Managing Director, James intends to build upon the company’s solid foundation while introducing new initiatives to futureproof operations and enhance service delivery.
“I’m incredibly excited about where the company is going and have always believed that Astley is genuinely unique in this sector, having always been the leader in key areas such as innovation and now sustainability,” says James.
“My new role means that I’m simply building on our success to date and I’m proud I get to play an important part in the company’s story.”
Focus
James will review our core business processes, identifying opportunities for increased efficiency, service enhancement, and meaningful progress across all areas of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) activity.
His leadership will focus on embedding ESG principles into the heart of Astley operations, from environmental performance and ethical governance to fostering a positive, inclusive workplace culture for all employees.
“I’ve always said that it’s our team that take us from good to great, and alongside producing quality branding solutions, I think that nurturing a positive environment for our workforce to thrive in is essential in the company’s success.”
#teamastley can’t wait to see how James drives us forward into a new chapter for the business.
We received an EcoVadis medal!
Just as we were one of the first signmakers to launch our Net Zero Roadmap, we are now one of the first in our industry to achieve their EcoVadis Bronze medal!
We’re placed in the top 35% globally for all those assessed for this standard
The EcoVadis platform helps businesses to manage ESG risk and compliance, meet sustainability goals, and drive impact through sustainability performance improvement of the company and its supply chain.
This accreditation offers additional reassurance to our clients, knowing that they are working with the most sustainable partner in the sector.
We are so pleased to have received this stamp of sustainability, especially as we continue to work towards our goal of achieving Net Zero by 2040.
Well done #TeamAstley!
We are proud to say we are now one of the first signmakers to be publishing a net zero roadmap with a commitment to achieving net zero by 2040.
Since embarking on our net zero journey in 2022, we have been committed to taking considerable steps towards reducing our carbon footprint.
With short term, medium and a long-term objectives, astley has developed a robust plan to help address climate change and drive meaningful actions that will contribute to the end goal of becoming net zero.
Just as we became the first UK signmaker to become a zero-waste-to-landfill partner, we believe we are also leading the way in our approach to becoming net zero and ultimately, improving the world that we inhabit.
The FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) sector is one of the largest in the UK economy. With its rapid product turnover and intense competition, the industry demands consistent innovative solutions to capture ever-changing consumer preferences. The post-Covid landscape has changed the way in which we buy and consume goods, providing both challenges and opportunities for grocery retail.
Signage plays a huge part in guiding consumers through this landscape. Not only does it direct you through the store, but signage also helps to create an immersive branded environment and experience.
At Astley, we have the pleasure of working with some huge grocery retailers, including Asda, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op. Whether it’s a brand new development or a rebrand of an existing site, we have assisted with the planning and visualisation of store environments, offering years of expertise in brand implementation.
So, what trends have we seen in 2023?
Concessions
With the rise in online retail and click-and-collect shopping, it has become imperative for grocers to focus on ways to bring customers back into the physical store. Supermarket concessions have proved to be a good method for repurposing large supermarket sites, as they not only help to boost store footfall and profitability for the main grocer but also increase footfall for the concession brand.
The most popular concession over the past few years has been food and drink, with the biggest grocers establishing partnerships with names such as Costa Coffee, Starbucks, Pret A Manger and more. Introducing well-known and loved brands encourages shoppers into the store as they are familiar with the product and can purchase it in a convenient setting.
Most recently, a market that is now popping up in retailers is homeware and DIY, with Tesco having partnered up with Homebase and Asda with B&Q. By integrating well-known homeware and DIY brands, these supermarkets enhance their appeal as lifestyle hubs rather than just places to buy groceries.
A partnership we are incredibly proud of is with Sainsbury’s, who we have been supporting for over 20 years now with their brand graphics, managing rebrand and refresh programmes and seasonal campaign work across their UK sites. Since their acquisition of Argos back in 2016, Astley has had the pleasure of completing the works for not only their Sainsbury’s branding but also for their Argos concessions.
Experiential environments
The introduction of spaces such as concessions has transformed the everyday mundanity of grocery shopping and pushed the concept of experiential environments. By creating a community-centric space in which customers can browse, linger and even dine, this turns the somewhat chore of shopping into that of an experience.
A great example of a project we recently worked on that embraced this experiential approach, is the new Food Hub concept in Asda stores. We had the pleasure of installing the signage for this new concession space, in which customers can now purchase pizza, coffee, and other grab-and-go products. By also implementing fast-food style touch screen tablets, this makes for not only a quick and efficient service but also provides a new and exciting way to browse and buy in-store.
Sustainability
A huge buzzword in any industry, sustainability is just as prevalent in the FMCG sector. According to research, one in five shoppers say they have acquired more sustainable habits since the pandemic began. With this increased demand for socially responsible products and practices, recent FMCG initiatives have put a critical focus on sustainable labelling, sustainable sourcing, and even renewable energy.
Astley was beyond proud to embrace renewable energy as a result of the onboarding of a fantastic new client – Central England Co-op UK. Earlier this year, we were so excited to have installed the first solar-powered totem of Central Co-op’s estate in Streethay. Solar-powered totems represent not only a forward-thinking approach to sustainability, but also offer a practical and cost-efficient solution that remains visually appealing.
The totem, with its subtle and sleek design, allowed for the solar panels to blend seamlessly into the structure – so much so, you can hardly tell it’s solar-powered!
And so…
The post-covid landscape has brought with it changes in consumer preferences and market trends, changing what people buy to how they buy it and where from. With the rise of e-commerce especially, this has called for industries like the FMCG sector to react and adapt to these changes.
From concessions and experiential environments to the topic of sustainability, signage has an important role in all of these. By enticing people into store, immersing them into an environment, and telling a visual story about a brand, signage has proven to be pivotal in responding to ever-changing trends. Now, we look forward to seeing what 2024 will bring..