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[artful dodger] 04/5/2006 15:51

selling volume seems modest

next move is the key one to me -we are sitting on longterm ma and previous support

[williemanjaro] 04/5/2006 13:54

Well Radar.....................you know where you can find me ....:o)(I know-naughty of me!)

[radarlove] 04/5/2006 13:44

Cambium,

I'm not sure how to take this trading update.

On the one hand, the company is up 14% over the same period last year, yet their Jewellery vault channel is not proving successful. The Next trials, if successful, could lead to a boost in revenues, especially if other major brands come on-board, yet operating costs will be £400k more this year, which presumably will affect their profit margins.

It all seems to balance itself out.

Therefore, in my opinion, it is essential that the 'Next' trials are successful and other high street brands use Ideal Shopping. Otherwise, growth on their pre-tax profit will slow down quite considerably.

[cambium] 04/5/2006 12:19

hmmm no comment yet!

[radarlove] 02/5/2006 09:09

Ideal Shopping have their AGM on Thursday (May 4th) - anyone attending?

Will there be mentions of Q1 sales, the on-going 'Next' trials, or the other high street major brands that are showing an interest?

[radarlove] 02/5/2006 09:09

prewar,

The one area we haven't discussed is the 'Freeview Fling'.

Only the most expensive Freeview boxes have the ability to expand the number of programmes via a card and an additional £7.99 per month. But even this does not cover the same number of channels than its competition.

While this monthly fee is cheaper than its rivals, how many people do you think start off by buying a Freeview box and then later move on to the more sophisticated Sky or NTL digital system?

I am sure there are quite a number of households that have a Freeview box which lyes in a corner covered in dust. Therefore, its 50% market share may be a little misleading.

[prewar] 30/4/2006 19:49

radar

I think freeview will pick up the lions share because of price. I think if you were going to sign up for Sky you'd have done it by now. I think there are a lot of people who won't give money to Murdoch on principle.

When we go fully digital you should be able to get about 40 channels in 80-90% of the country and 20 channels in all of the country.

Trouble is capacity is restricted due to bandwidth and so the cost to IDS and the like will be only going one way.

[Abuse team] 30/4/2006 15:11

Post removed by ADVFN

[radarlove] 30/4/2006 14:45

prewar,

The increase of Freeview box sales during the last quarter of 2005 was, in my view, primarily due to the decrease of price. £41 is superb value for money when compared with its competition.

But, the big question is, who will gain the lion's share of the remaining 30% of non-digital TV households? Freeview is a pretty basic digital package compared to Sky, for example.

As viewers become more sophisticated with their TV needs, Freeview may lose out. But, one feels that as this remaining 30% are made up of more elderly people who may be less technically minded, I agree with you, Freeview could gain the major slice due to its more simple approach.

[prewar] 28/4/2006 12:12

Radar

thanks, I think the article does go to show that Freeview is the fastest growing platform and IDS need to stay with that platform. It can't be long before more people are watching digital through Freeview than through satellite.

[prewar] 27/4/2006 18:42

radar

I think Ofcom announced it recently, link below.



Apologies the article is slightly confusing but I think it means 70% of digital viewers are watching Freeview as a platform rather than satellite or cable.

I guess freeview is probably not available in the whole country so takeup of the platform must be pretty high in the available areas.

[radarlove] 27/4/2006 15:35

Where does the fact 'Freeview boxes now in 70% of homes...' come from?
It seems very high.

[prewar] 27/4/2006 12:31

radar

I think you're right on the increase likely to be quite hefty. I think it's more likely to be a fixed price contract rather than based on viewer coverage. Freeview is by far the fastest growing platform for Digital and I anticipate will continue to be so through Analogue to Digital Transition. Freeview boxes now in 70% of homes apparently.

I think IDS have got to stay with Freeview else it will knock a big hole in their business model and potential growth. Freeview sales are only going to go one way and if IDS can go with that then the share price should follow. I guess it's a question of how much they end up paying to stay with the platform in 2008.

[prewar] 26/4/2006 18:46

radar

I guess it depends on what basis the rent review is. Is it a pre-determined increase?

The market price seems to have gone up a lot based on what C4 ended up paying recently for their slot on Freeview.

[radarlove] 25/4/2006 22:23

prewar,

This is what Andrew Fryatt told me. I saw your post so I questioned him about 2008. He was quite adamant that the contract with Freeview does not end until 2014.

[prewar] 25/4/2006 19:58

Radar

Thanks for the useful info. Was interested in where the statement regarding the rental review in 2008 comes from and contract ends in 2014.

This wasn't my understanding, but feel free to correct me.

[radarlove] 25/4/2006 17:20

Willie,

I sold my ASOS shares during its ascent on 100p.

I may buy back in at 90p or below. Technically, this seems to be an important level. Best of luck with your investments.

[williemanjaro] 25/4/2006 16:48

Radar-sounds like you have exited ASC?
Been so busy elsewhere that I can afford to let ASC sit there until results/newsflow which cannot be far away.
As for the two year Aim rule-that would help-and haven`t a clue where I am!
Good luck here-was once a holder but company doesn`t interest me today-all best.

[radarlove] 25/4/2006 16:30

Willie,

I could not agree more about ASOS.

Their business would be perfect for the more visual sales approach. Models walking up the cat-walk wearing the latest Sienna style dress. Even, a celebrity modelling their own copy-style garments. I am sure Posh would jump at the chance!

IDS are now some way ahead of ASC, in my view. Their direct website sales are quickly catching up while the shopping channels continue to expand and grow. For me, IDS are now a better punt long term than ASOS. There is more scope and growth - especially if the high street brands come on-board. ASC are too much a niche market and very vulnerable to competition or changing fads.

I did discuss with Andrew Fryatt the possibility that if the 'Next' trials were successful, what would stop them or any other high street brand from starting their own shopping channel.

We both agreed that this wouldn't occur in the short to medium term. IDS are now well established with a successful track record. It would make far more sense for 'Next' to delegate the TV selling-side, thus giving them time to focus on improving their ailing high street sales.

M&S has shown that it is possible to turn things around. In fact, rumour has it, that M&S are one of a number of major brand companies showing interest in using 'Ideal Shopping'.

[williemanjaro] 25/4/2006 15:34

Thanks you Radar-now sorry to be OFF topic but,why are ASC holding back?

Next......Next I ask you-Next is for old Ninkon-poops!

A Celebrity run fashion channel incorporating AsSeenOnScreen....I mean do the fish swim or what!!!

[radarlove] 25/4/2006 14:20

I have just spoken to Ideal Shopping's CEO, Andrew Fryatt, and there is some excellent news on the forthcoming 'Next' trials.

The first pilot will be aired this Friday evening (April 28th) on Ideal World.

There will be a further 9 Next shows slotted intermittently over the following 5 weeks. Each programme will be one hour long.

Andrew Fryatt explained, "These trials are to test different time slots to see which are the best periods of the day to sell the Next merchandise. This is the first time that a major high street brand has used a shopping channel to sell their goods."

Shows will be varied and will cover the entire Next catalogue from Men's, Women's and Kids clothes to Jewellery and general homeware.

Andrew continued, "We are quietly confident that these trials will be successful. There are a number of other major brands interested in using our channel. They are presently waiting to see how the Next trials go before they make a decision."

So, now a case of asking every family member, relative and friend to buy a Next item through Ideal Shopping! If the 10 trials are successful and the other major brands come on-board, the IDS share price could rocket.

For your interest: The Ideal Shopping contract with Freeview ends in 2014. There will be a rental review in 2008.

[bobb49] 24/4/2006 15:44

Radar,

Many thanks for that. Much appreciated.