County Durham retail marketing firm set for further national growth with seven-figure acquisition

A North East retail marketing company has continued its expansion with the seven-figure acquisition of another regional firm.

Redu Group has announced its acquisition of Northumberland-based gift card and loyalty scheme specialist MBL Solutions.

Founded in 2014, Seaham-based Redu Group specialises in tech-driven money saving incentives for UK consumers, as well as providing retail insight and employer loyalty schemes for a range of local and national firms using its self-developed internal data analysis software.

It is anticipated that the acquisition of MBL Solutions, which provides gift card and loyalty schemes to a host of national brands including Greggs and Caffe Nero, will strenghten Redu Group’s own loyalty scheme offering and support its ongoing growth.

Redu Group CEO Gary Hunter commented: “We’ve developed a fantastic working partnership with the team at MBL Solutions over the last 12 months through two very complementary business models.

“While we’ve predominantly focused our business on understanding shoppers’ behaviours and helping people save money, their expertise has allowed us to get involved in more parts of the loyalty marketplace.

“The marriage of our teams makes this a potent offering for any retail business looking to develop more meaningful and insightful relationships with their customers as well as drive increased revenue.

“With our data and experience within consumer/employee marketing plus MBL’s market-leading gift code management and distribution technology, the future is very exciting.”

MBL Solutions’ outgoing managing director, Oliver Stephens launched the company almost 20 years ago and his team will continue to operate from its Cramlington base, while Redu Group’s Warrick Lambert has been promoted to managing director of the group operations.

MBL Solutions’ outgoing managing director, Oliver Stephen, added: “Becoming part of the Redu Group made perfect operational and business sense.

“I’m really excited at the prospect of our team adding its years of experience in the gifting and reward sector to Redu’s acute understanding of customer behaviours. Jointly, they make a very attractive proposition for the markets we work in.”