RECESSION ENCOURAGES GROWTH AT CARTRIDGE WORLD, NORTH WEST

While the recession is having a negative impact on many high streets, one company is reporting impressive growth in its stores in North West England.

Cartridge World, which has 36 stores in the region, has reported healthy growth between May and July 2009. Its figures for this period show turnover increased by more than £100,000, or 8.7 per cent. This was despite the UK economy reportedly shrinking by 1.3%* in the 12 months up to August 2009. (*RPI as supplied by the Office of National Statistics). Adam Davison, Business Development Manager for Cartridge World, said: “Most businesses are looking for ways to save money during this recession, and Cartridge World provides a service which does just that. “The recession has tipped the balance with customers. Many people believe the myth that all refilled or remanufactured printer cartridges are inferior to an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) replacement printer cartridge. Cartridge World has invested considerably in research to ensure quality matching and often exceeding the OEM. Economic conditions have encouraged new customers to try Cartridge World, and they are coming back because they are impressed with the products and service received, as well as the cost savings. In fact, our figures show that purchases of OEM products are falling, while our biggest growth area is in the remanufacture of laser cartridges.” Cartridge World’s figures for the three months from May to July 2009 show a 7 per cent increase in the refilling of printer cartridges and an 18 per cent rise in customers remanufacturing laser printer cartridges. Mr Davison reported that original manufacturer replacement printer cartridges have risen dramatically in price in the first third of this year because of the strength of the Euro against the pound. As a result, the cost of an OEM cartridge rose by an average of 38%. The cost of a Cartridge World remanufactured a laser cartridge is approximately 55% of the cost of an OEM cartridge, while the cost of a Cartridge World refilled ink cartridge is approximately half that of an OEM replacement. Mr Davison added: “Businesses have also become much more aware of the waste they create, as landfill prices are increasing steeply each year and will soon be nearly £50 per ton. If printer cartridges, once empty, are not thrown out but reused, the financial benefits really do add up.” Editor’s notes: For further information on Cartridge World, visit www.cartridgeworld.co.uk. Cartridge World has almost 250 stores in the UK. It was launched in Australia in 1988 and now operates more than 1,600 franchises in over 50 countries. Over 45 million printer cartridges are sent to UK landfill sites each year*. Each cartridge can take up to 1,000 years to decompose**. Cartridge World promotes the refilling and reuse of printer cartridges as a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly alternative to sending them to landfill. *UK Cartridge Remanufacture Association, 2006. **International Imaging Technology Council, http://www.consumerchoice.info/faq.htm, October 2008.