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STAG – May 2011
Buying group STAG tells the trade about the importance of e-commerce to modern day retailers
We now live and work in a digital world. From social and business networking to looking up feedback on a possible holiday destination, more often than not our first port of call is now the internet.
Consumer shopping is now multi-channel, with more than 70 per cent of adults in the UK shopping on the internet; at Christmas this can increase to over 90 per cent. This increase in online retailing is accelerating at an alarming pace, and to be honest comprehending this change in consumer buying is very daunting.
However, there are experts and services, and plenty of information, out there for us to learn and adapt to these new buying habits.
For our business, we have recently invested in upgrading and updating the STAG and Freedom buying groups’ websites that were launched in 2009. Whilst we are not buying and selling on these website, we did recognise the need to make the sites yet more interactive for members and suppliers.
We have enlisted the services of a company called Sitemakers, who we recommend to STAG members as a provider of e-commerce storefront solutions for independent retailers. The new and improved websites were unveiled in April.
One of the reasons we decided to use Sitemakers was their unique LiquidShop system, supported by an in-house website design team, offering ongoing support and training once the website goes live. In this ever-changing digital environment, we wanted the facility to keep updating our website without having to start all over again.
For independent retailers the LiquidShop also offers many third-party systems including accounting, EPoS and stock management, which are essential for retailers. The order management system allows the retailer to communicate with consumers by emailing automated order status updates, whilst it also is able to create invoices, picking and packing notes and print stored customer and order histories.
Because LiquidShop has an intuitive browser-based content management system, the retailer can manage the content of their online store from any internet-connected computer. Therefore, all control is with the retailer to control products, categories, options, searches, special promotions and much more.
Online shops for independent retailers can be a great addition to their excellent in-store knowledge and product availability, because in my opinion you cannot beat independents whether online or shop-based for their unique customer service that they offer to consumers, compared to multiples and chain retailers.
Ricky Chandler
Managing director, STAG
