Business & Technology
Roomex launches Insights Pro for hotel spend scrutiny
Roomex has launched Insights Pro, an analytics tool for hotel booking spend that is now live for UK customers.
Aimed at finance and procurement teams, it is designed to show whether hotel bookings were made at the best available rate at the time of purchase. The tool uses search and booking data captured during the booking process, allowing users to compare the chosen stay with other options available at that moment.
Insights Pro presents two measures. Actual Savings shows when a booking delivered savings against other options available at the time. Potential Savings highlights cases where a lower-cost, like-for-like hotel was available during the search but was not selected.
Comparisons are based on factors including location, hotel rating and cancellation terms. Users can also examine the data by city, hotel, policy and individual booker.
Spend scrutiny
The launch comes as companies face closer scrutiny of travel costs and seek clearer evidence for booking decisions. In many travel programmes, questions about whether a cheaper option could have been secured often arise after a trip has been booked.
Using data recorded at the time of search and booking, the system is intended to give travel, finance and procurement teams an audit trail for those decisions. This allows companies to assess whether savings were achieved and where spending patterns may need attention.
The paid feature sits on top of Roomex Insights, which is available to customers on the platform. Insights Pro costs £99 per month per company, while the standard version provides higher-level savings totals.
Internal analysis from Roomex shows some customers using its Savings Suite have saved an average of 18% on workforce travel. It did not disclose how many customers were included in that analysis.
Broader offer
Founded in Dublin in 2004, Roomex operates globally as part of Corpay. The business focuses on travel booking, expenses and reporting for companies with mobile workforces, including hotel and rail bookings.
The new tool is intended to help users move from broad travel spend reporting to more detailed analysis of individual decisions. It can also rank actions by impact so teams can focus on bookings and behaviours with the greatest effect on costs.
Keith Watson, President of Roomex, said: “Businesses are under growing pressure to prove that travel spend is controlled, but those conversations often happen after the booking, without a clear record of what was available at the time. Insights Pro shows exactly what was available when a decision was made. That gives finance teams confidence in the savings already achieved and helps identify behaviours that can reduce costs further.”
The Original Factory Shop which sells discounted homewares, furniture, electrical goods and toys, shut its store in Carterton yesterday (Saturday, March 28).
On the business’ Facebook page, last-minute discounts were being offered with clothing down to £2 an item.
READ MORE: Store closure fears as UK discount brand in administration
On Thursday, March 26, a spokesperson for the store said: “Everything in store is now up to 85 per cent off as we prepare to close our doors this weekend.
“This is your last chance to grab a bargain – once it’s gone, it’s gone.”
Following that announcement, prices were subsequently lowered and lowered.
Other branches around the UK also shut yesterday including in Cromer, Gorleston and Bungay in Norfolk and Suffolk with major sales also being implemented at other locations.
This comes after the business fell into administration in January, with further closures also expected imminently in Snettisham, according to The Sun, and around the country.
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Administrators said The Original Factory Shop’s troubles have been driven by challenging trading conditions, linked to high-cost inflation, fragile consumer confidence and rising labour costs caused by government policies.
Problems were then exacerbated by issues linked to its third-party warehouse and logistics operator, weakening sales further.
It only has one store in Oxfordshire, its Carterton shop, although Claire’s – which is also owned by investment firm Modella Capital and is in administration – has one in the Oxford Westgate shopping centre.
The fashion retailer this month closed down its store in the Oxford city centre shopping centre having opened in October 2017 as part of the £440m revamp.
It was one of the original retailers as part of the shopping centre’s new phase of life, along with John Lewis, Primark and Next.
A spokeswoman from Hugo Boss said: “Hugo Boss optimises its global store portfolio as part of its long-term strategy, which also affects the Boss Oxford Westgate Centre store.
“Hugo Boss will maintain a strong presence in the UK, and we will also continue to serve our customers via our online flagship store at hugoboss.com.”
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The company did not say whether any redundancies had been made from closing the store.
The spokeswoman said: “Wherever possible, we reallocate employees through transfers or other internal opportunities.”
There are indeed other branches not too far, including at Bicester Village, Swindon and Reading.
A spokeswoman for the Westgate said: “We remain committed to making Westgate Oxford a vibrant and varied retail destination for our guests, welcoming exciting new arrivals such as Sephora, The Beefy Boys, and the opening of Lego later this spring, as well as recently upsized stores for Oliver Bonas, Goldsmiths, and Superdrug.
“We look forward to sharing more details about new brands joining the centre soon.”
Henley Business Buzz hosted its first event at Henley Rugby Club, drawing more than 30 businesses and decision-makers from the local area.
The group is part of the wider Business Buzz network, offering informal, no-membership, pay-as-you-go networking that focuses on building professional relationships in a relaxed setting.
Orinta Gaucyte, host of Henley Business Buzz, said: “It was fantastic to see so many local businesses come together for our first Henley Buzz.
“There’s something really special about building a supportive community where people feel comfortable, included and able to make genuine connections.
“A huge thank you to everyone who came along and helped make the launch such a success.”
The launch was attended by Business Buzz co-founders Katrina Sargent and Simon George, who officially opened the event.
The Henley meetings are supported by sponsors Logic Financial Services and Logic Mortgages.
Lee Humphrey, of Logic Financial Services, said: “It’s brilliant to see an event like Business Buzz arrive in Henley.
“Creating opportunities for local businesses to connect in a relaxed and approachable way is incredibly valuable for the town, and we’re proud to support something that brings the business community closer together.”
Henley Business Buzz will take place on the fourth Thursday of each month, with the next event scheduled for Thursday, April 23.
All businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals in the area are welcome to attend.
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