Oval Retail

Protection in just the right size and fit

Insight. Service. Performance.

Specialist risk and insurance solutions for the retail sector

Despite an unpredictable economic climate, analysts predict that the UK retail market will grow by 15 per cent by 2016 to over £312 billion1. However with a slower pace of growth and downward pressure on margins – plus likely rises in operating costs and the cost of credit – your sector faces a tough, long term battle to maintain the momentum that drives revenues, profitability and market share. That’s only half the story – on the other side of the checkout, a combination of debt, inflation, house prices, eventual interest rate rises and job security factors pose a very real threat to your lifeblood – consumer spending.

It’s already high stakes business – and one that is also being regularly reinvented by the furious pace of change in mobile, internet and eCommerce technologies. Surrounded by such a kaleidoscope of pressure, threat and opportunity, you need to know that your insurance portfolio is integrated, personalised and delivers the high performance and cost-effective protection you seek.

Oval Insurance Broking (Oval) is one of the UK’s leading brokers for the retail sector with clients ranging from single stores to large complex international organisations. This helps us deliver the insight, empathy and innovation that ensure your insurance portfolio is uncomplicated, competitive, efficient and cost effective. It also provides you with on-tap expertise from people who take the time to understand your business and your processes at the in-depth level of detail you expect.

We understand the importance of controlling premium fluctuations that can seriously undermine your cash position. That’s why we go further to tailor specialised risk and insurance solutions that fit your business consistently. Value and performance plus a core focus on service and relationship development underpin all that we do. We work with the leading specialist underwriters to offer bespoke retail insurance policies that close the gaps and anticipate emerging risks, ensuring your business is in the safest of hands.

Welcome to Oval Retail: risk is our business

Retail has many moving parts that span people, product and places across every aspect of supply and fulfilment – at home and abroad. With such intricacy comes risk: when it comes to managing that risk, it’s good to know you can rely on an insurance partner who speaks your language and understands the unique pressures you face.

A top UK insurance broker, we have the practical and intellectual expertise that has made us the insurance partner of choice for some of the UK’s leading retailers. This enables us to design and deliver retail-specific risk and insurance solutions that identify your liabilities, cut costs, quantify risk and mitigate losses across the following operational areas:

• Price sensitivity: we know how reactive retailing is to premium changes; that’s why we go further to design cost predictability into your insurance programme

• Health & Safety: across your shops, warehouses and offices, protecting your customers and your people, particularly in an industry with a high proportion of transient, temporary and lower-paid workers

• Supply chain: we’ll help protect the integrity of your supply chain, contracts, assets and business continuity

• Brand: bigger brands can be a magnet for spurious claimants: that’s why you can rely on the efficacy of our claims management

• Seasonality: managing people and stock against seasonal demand is tough; that’s why we design insurance programmes to suit your cash flow

• Shop frontage and property: we can advise on physical protections for your stores portfolio and benchmark property insurance costs to assist in your lease negotiations

• Franchising: we are specialists in retail franchisee insurance – from the smallest to the largest franchisee groups in the UK

• eCommerce: with a whole new digital world of risk, we have the intelligent insurance solutions that protect your eBusiness

• Cash handling: cash comes with its own unique set of risks; we’ll help you protect yours however it moves through your organisation

1UK Retail Futures, Datamonitor, 2011

Intelligent insurance solutions with the right detail for retailYou’ll find all the specialist risk management solutions and services you need to help keep your business fit for the future – under one roof and from a single team. Our approach is geared around a strong service ethic and focused on the key risk management values that the retail sector demands.

• A safe pair of hands: a partner you can trust, backed by experience, commitment to the sector and a proven track record

• Innovation that drives value for money: working with the leading specialist retail insurers, we proactively develop bespoke covers and policies that address the emerging risks you face

• Fast, expert problem solving: we’re proud of our reputation and we are committed to providing quick responses that make the most of our wider commercial risk and insurance expertise

• Value for money culture: we never go through the motions when it comes to policy specification or renewal; we take pride in our ability to challenge limits and improve terms, costs and protection on your behalf

• Hassle-free, dedicated claims management: we understand the importance to you of fast and efficient settlement. We don’t disappoint – it’s as simple as that

• Risk management that drives best practice: providing practical in-store guidance to help communicate good risk management practices throughout your business.

• Added value services: we work with specialist insurers and carefully selected partners to offer added value benefits, such as a free insurance valuation healthcheck

Insight. Service. Performance.Oval has a depth of experience in providing innovative risk and insurance advice to the UK retail sector. Our work in driving best practice and consistently seeking innovative and helpful solutions is recognised by retailers who are looking for practical and added value. Above all, we invest in our people. We have drawn together experienced, high calibre professionals who blend the advisory, administration, technical and listening skills essential to delivering the exceptional levels of insight, service, continuity, agility and pitch-perfect performance you demand.

Importantly, we keep workloads manageable so our people have the time and scope to stay close to your needs, develop the relationships and deliver the high service standards and innovation you expect.

www.theovalgroup.com

Would you like to talk?If you have any questions or would like to explore how you can make your insurance work harder for your organisation, we’re here to help.

Call, Jo Whittaker ACII, Head of IB Marketing on: 01992 449 473

Or drop her an email at: jo.whittaker@theovalgroup.com

About The Oval groupThe Oval group is a leading UK risk, insurance broking, healthcare and financial services advisory group.

With offices across the UK, Oval Insurance Broking (Oval) is the specialist risk management partner of choice for thousands of businesses and individuals across a range of disciplines and industry sectors.

From general insurance to sector-specific requirements, the strength of Oval lies in designing bespoke, dynamic and keenly competitive risk solutions that fit your needs exactly. Our skilled specialists take the time to understand those needs, simplifying risk to deliver a consistently innovative, high standard and high performance service that adds value, capability, agility and competitive edge to your business.

For more information, visit us at www.theovalgroup.com

Oval Insurance Broking LimitedRegistered Office: 9 South Parade,Wakefield, WF1 1LR

Registered in England No: 01195184Authorised and regulated by theFinancial Services Authority.

www.theovalgroup.com

Insight. Service. Performance.