Member Article

Northumberland company awarded for going Above and Beyond

A Northumberland based retailer that specialises in diverse range of products for outdoor enthusiasts has scooped a national award.

Online retailer Above and Beyond, of Cramlington, has fought off stiff competition to win the coveted ‘Online Retailer of the Year’ award at the Great Outdoors (TGO) Magazine awards ceremony which takes place annually in Kendal, Cumbria.

The TGO Awards pays tribute to companies in the outdoors community that provide excellent customer service and product offering or to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the industry.

Above and Beyond specialises in navigation and stocks one of the largest selections of navigational products online including Ordnance Survey (OS) maps, handheld GPS, compasses and digital mapping.

Owned by husband and wife team Darren and Tracey Smith, the business works closely with leading outdoor suppliers and brands such as Garmin, Gerber, Nordisk, Petzl, Silva and Satmap, and has recently introduced the award-winning Swedish technical clothing brand, Fjallraven.

Speaking of the award, managing director Darren Smith said: “TGO awards are voted for by customers and not decided by a panel so we are not only delighted to have won an award of this calibre but to have been nominated by our amazing customers, I think, says a great deal about the kind of customer service and product offering we provide.

“Sales for November and December 2013 saw a year-on-year increase of 38% and 32% respectively and we believe this is due to factors such as the introduction of new brands and product lines together with being regularly first to market.

“Concentrating on core product ranges, expanding our routes to market, and regular communication with our customers has also assisted this growth.

“One of our main objectives for 2013 was to provide our customers with a better shopping experience and greater value for money. Whilst maintaining great deals online we’ve gone back to good old fashioned values where communication is key, ensuring that the consumer experience from start to finish, including post purchase, is a positive one.

“Investment in improved back office systems and customer service resources has enabled us to create a tangible feel-good factor around our brand, so we are delighted with this award.”

Established in 2005, Above and Beyond was created after identifying a gap in the market for the supply of Ordnance Survey maps and digital map data. Since then the company has thrived to become one of the largest suppliers of OS mapping in the UK, supplying to trade, retail, and organisations including Duke of Edinburgh leaders and participants, MOD, NHS, Scout and Guide groups, National Parks, Local Authorities and Police and Ambulance services.

Mr Smith continued: “We test as many of the products that we sell as possible and also try to encourage reviews and feedback from our customers as this is really useful for others when they come to choose kit for trips, days out and expeditions.

“It’s important we know our stuff and we’re fortunate to have some brilliant reps who spend time training us in all aspects of their brands. It really helps us to advise and guide our customers, many of whom are dependent on the right kit for what may be adventures in hazardous conditions.

“Plans are rapidly taking shape for 2014 and beyond. We’re focused on continuing to develop our product ranges and have some exciting new brands to take us into Spring/Summer 14. As ever, sitting still isn’t an option in the online world so we’re working closely with partners to develop both the front and back-end of the website.

“With the incorporation of a corporate element to the website focussed on the supply of custom-branded outdoor goods as well as extensive development of our product offering for groups and organisations such as DofE and Scouts, 2014 looks set to be a very busy year.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Graham Vincent .