Convenient solution provides higher education accommodation providers with a streamlined purchasing method and burden free administration.
Since the government removed the cap on UK student numbers in 2014, there has been a steady rise in the student population, with the latest UCAS figures showing a 0.2 per cent rise in applicants to higher education institutions for 2016/17. With increased demand for higher education comes a need for suitable accommodation. Furthermore, NUS-Unipol reports that the average weekly rent for student accommodation stands at £147, an 18 per cent increase since 2012-13,
With this in mind, university accommodation providers must ensure that their properties are in good condition ahead of the new academic year, meeting demand and making students’ investment worthwhile. The quality of the student accommodation available reflects directly on a university’s popularity and can ultimately affect its success. The summer holidays are an ideal opportunity to ensure rooms are up to scratch, before 600,000 discerning students descend on the UK’s cities this October.
Working alongside universities, Argos for Business (AfB), a leading provider of merchandise, has launched the Argos Business Account, a service that allows student accommodation providers access to over 50,000 Argos products in-store or online at argos.co.uk. The free account can be used as and when needed for everything from furniture, TVs and kitchen appliances.
The Argos Business Account offers providers of student accommodation with an exclusive and fully secure payment method. A purchase order facility is available if required, combined with weekly electronic invoicing, with a choice of consolidated or individual invoicing to suit businesses’ payment processes. This makes for easier reconciliation of paperwork and means all orders can be fully accounted for and itemised, giving transparency to how funds are being spent.
Revolutionising the procurement process further, Argos for Business has also launched Fast Track, a same day delivery and collection service, providing increased speed and efficiency to businesses and organisations. Corporate customers are now guaranteed same day delivery on many items straight to their premises on orders placed by 6pm, seven days a week. This is desirable for universities that need to replace items as a matter of urgency, avoiding disruptions to students and minimising the amount of time staff have to spend off site. Alternatively, Fast Track Collection allows businesses to collect their products from 800 Argos store locations nationwide at specially marked Fast Track Collection counters, where corporate customers will find their orders ready for collection in as little as 60 seconds.
Committed to creating products that meet customer needs, the Argos Business Account’s payment terms have been extended to allow up to 37 days for payments. This has been put in place following customer research. The extended payment terms will help educational institutions and private accommodation providers to manage their finances more effectively.
Customers can have multiple account cards on a single account – perfect for consolidating spending across multi-site organisations, yet allowing numerous colleagues to have purchasing power. With a single account, businesses can maintain control over spending and credit limit. Also, payments can be made via BACS, direct debit or cheques to suit all organisations.
Jacqui Glenn, director at Argos for Business, says: “Student accommodation providers have a greater commitment to maintain their properties, to ensure that the high quality standards preferred by modern day students are met. The new Argos Business Account is ideal for this sector, as it allows professionals to maintain their properties and handle orders that require urgent action, such as the replacement of broken furniture.
“The Argos Business Account has been created with the customer in mind. Following successful trials, we believe our offering will support student accommodation providers across the UK looking to manage expenditure and ease purchase pressure points; meanwhile, the extended payment facility will also help these organisations control their finances and cash flow.
“The new account will lessen administrative burdens too, affording accommodation providers more time to focus on delivering their business objectives and fulfill their obligations to students. With the option of single or consolidated weekly invoicing, the Argos Business Account offers a seamless and painless way of reconciling purchases to suit universities’ own finance processes, and reclaiming VAT is also made easier as invoices are fully itemised. Purchasing responsibilities can be delegated to others in the business while control can be retained centrally under one account.
“There is no minimum spend on the Argos Business Account, so universities can set up an account now and use it as and when needed, including over the summer months which is prime time for refurbishments.”
To find out more or to open an account, visit: argosforbusiness.co.uk/account.