Plebble team up with Savebuckets

SaveBuckets - Save a whole load of money

If you are a fan of Savebuckets.co.uk you will notice a slight addition to the site - we have teamed up with them! Savebuckets are a free online shopping comparison site which helps you find the best priced product. It is a very simple and quick process, you type in the product you are after into their search box and from over a million products Savebuckets will then generate relevant results sorted by price. You then select the product and are directed the cheapest retailer. Savebuckets have now integrated our Plebble-rating so that it not only shows the best price but also the best service (Plebble-rating). Savebuckets users can now assess according to a retailers value and value for money, i.e. value plus service. For example you may be more inclined to spend a little bit more from a retailer because you are confident in their quality service.

Here is an example of the service in action.

'Local Heros ' on Plebble

There has been plenty in the news over the last few days about the effect supermarkets are having on competition in local areas. This coincides with the release of the Competition Commission's findings into the UK grocery market. We reported this in In the News on Friday. We are interested to know what effect supermarkets have on local businesses and local communities. According to research that we released, 39% of people think that supermarkets are damaging their community making them the second worst culprit. Property developers were number one at 42% and government was third at 38%. The Commission's report is being criticised for not addressing the effect supermarkets have on local businesses.

What is interesting to note is the widespread support for local businesses. An example of this is the Evening Standard's campaign to 'Save Our Small Shops' in response to the closure of 7,000 small shops in London in the last six years. Our research shows that there is eagerness to respond, with 93% of people intending to support their local organisations in 2008. Small shops find it hard to compete with supermarkets on price, range, convenience and marketing clout. Obviously the best way to support our local shops is to physically buy from them. However recommending that business to others is an extra way to support it. On Plebble we call it 'Local Heros'. These are the businesses that deserve our thanks and support. So to help support your local businesses and local community please rate your Local Heros on Plebble.

Press coverage

We had some great coverage from Rosie Millard in her column in the Save & Spend section of the Independent last week. Have a read! James has also been interviewed on BBC Radio. The response to the coverage has been superb so thanks for all your support.