Owned and operated by caravanning enthusiasts Hayley and Lee Kelsall, Caravan Stuff 4 U was established in 2004 and sells caravanning accessories in-store and online.
Based in Worcestershire and employing up to 12 people throughout the year, the business sells more than £1 million worth of accessories annually – with a key focus on the growing UK market, as holidaymakers look for the ultimate staycation experience.
Climate change has also encouraged more people to look closer to home for their breaks. This shift has allowed the Kelsalls to introduce more sustainable packaging.
Challenges for online businesses
Caravan Stuff 4 U has a long-standing relationship with the Elavon family, using its Opayo gateway since its website was set up to take online payments in 2005. With strong growth forecast, Hayley and Lee were looking to drive real improvement across:
- cashflow
- streamlining of the payments process
- management of costs
- customer purchase experience
- fraud reduction.
Elavon, with its Opayo gateway and through its partnership with Kudos Software Ltd since 2008, was uniquely positioned to help them achieve this. “We were looking for an EPOS [electronic point-of-sale] system and it was a nightmare because we didn’t know what we needed, as there are different types for different businesses. You almost need an advisor, depending on your size and the solution you need. But we came across Kudos and we took it from there,” Hayley says.
Kudos produces pioneering retail software, using technological expertise to create intelligent solutions for retail problems. Its success comes from building long-lasting relationships with clients, partners and suppliers.
Caravan Stuff 4 U has since been using Kudos’ EPOS system for accounts integration, sales transactions and stock control. After several years with Kudos and almost two decades using the Opayo gateway, Caravan Stuff 4 U integrated its entire payments system with Elavon in 2021. The tri-party solution was developed by Kudos in such a way that customers would receive a robust and secure integrated card processing solution.
Onboarding and customer service
The onboarding process for retailers was also an improvement, with reduced administration requirements and a quicker engagement process overall. Hayley says the reliability of the solution has led to the couple being able to focus on other aspects of the business.
"Using an integrated payments system has been really easy. Our card machines are fully connected, so we don’t have to tap the amount into it. It’s easier to use and always balances, and it’s more reassuring for the customers – we look like a large retailer now,” she says.
“The Kudos and Elavon solution does what it says on the tin. It’s one less thing to worry about and with same-day settlement and excellent customer service to match. Since the start, the Kudos support has been absolutely brilliant – I can’t fault them. I’ve only ever had to ring them a few times in all these years but when I do, they’re really helpful."
The partnership for payments
The solution provided to Caravan Stuff 4 U is just one of the success stories of the blossoming Elavon-Kudos partnership. “It was a great relationship from the start,” says Sarah Dodd, Kudos’ managing director. “With a dedicated Kudos account manager, customers have benefited from continuity of service and the assurance of someone going the extra mile when it’s needed. it’s been a very successful partnership.”
Paul Dunne, Revenue Delivery Director at Elavon, says the strength of the partnership with Kudos was paying dividends for customers. “Kudos are experts in their industry and, like Elavon, pride themselves on customer service,” Paul says.
“We’re really excited that Caravan Stuff 4 U integrated its payments solution with Elavon, ensuring they'd be supported with a level of service that's recognised across the payments industry for its excellence. Now's the time for customers to streamline their businesses and Elavon is uniquely positioned to help them do just that.”
