CUSTOMER PROFILE
Whistl has been managing delivery for The Willoughby Book Club since May 2018. We caught up with director Marianne Chala to hear the story. A good read…
Q What is The Willoughby Book Club? MC We’re a book subscription company selling bespoke book subscriptions to all ages and tastes of reader. We’re based in Blaby village just outside Leicester. We aim to take readers on journeys of the imagination, introducing them to books and authors they may not have encountered. What could be nicer than a hand-selected, wrapped book arriving just for you each month? Q How did TWBC begin? MC The WBC was set up in 2012 as a kitchen-table business in Willoughby Waterleys, hence the name. Since then we’ve grown, moved premises twice and are now a team of 10. We send books to readers across the UK and beyond, and I love to think of the books going off to their new homes from Shetland to Penzance and everywhereinbetween.
Q How easy was it to get set up with Whistl? MC Very easy. Whistl really took the time to listen and understand the particular ins and outs of our business. Whistl have helped troubleshoot every change and adjustment prior to launch and have been on hand in person, and virtually, every step of the way. MC Whistl IT are always on hand and helpful and quick to respond, and let us know well in advance of any changes. We operate on a rolling monthly basis, and Whistl can easily accommodate the peaks in need as well as our more steady everyday and weekly needs. Q How does Whistl help you day-to-day? Q How do you see your partnership with Whistl evolving? MC Whistl offer an unmatched range of services and are always proactive in helping us find the best solutions for our needs. I look forward to working with them in the future to ensure our operations are optimised, and the service our customers receive is as good as it can be.
Q What have been your greatest challenges? MC We’ve had our fair share of challenges, particularly in the past three years. The biggest challenge was getting through the pandemic. Firstly we closed for a month while the country was in lockdown, then returned to a very welcome boost in sales due to everyone looking for entertainment solutions during lockdowns. Hot on the heels of this was Brexit coming into effect, which hugely affected our European market. Q How has Whistl helped? MC Whistl has been on hand throughout the ups and downs, providing a really responsive and solution-oriented service. They have catered to our size and created a serviced tailored to the way we work.
L–R Marianne Chala, with Dispatch Administrator Alisha Chauhan, and Aishah Morshed, Operations Administrator
10% discount for our readers The Willoughby Book Club is offering Whistl Magazine readers 10% off across its website – including Subscriptions and Book Bundles (only exclusion is gift vouchers). Just enter the following code at check-out: WHISTL10
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Whistl Magazine • Winter 2022
Whistl Magazine • Winter 2022
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