Tech to tackle flooring challenges
Website Editor • November 25, 2019
We’ve seen some innovative developments of visualisation tools this year, each designed to make the in-store purchase decision easier for consumers. For this feature we take a look at how different brands are encouraging consumers to head for their nearest retailer armed with samples of what they desire. We also look at dedicated online tools which make the technical and admin side of selling that bit easier for retailers.
British Wool
is one organisation supporting store footfall by helping consumers find their nearest stockist. With recent studies showing that 46% of all Google searches are looking for local information, and online sales numbers continuing to grow, finding new ways to support local retail footfall are increasingly important. The British Wool website – www.britishwool.org.uk
- provides information for a number of distinct stakeholder groups, including specific resources for its manufacturing and retailing partners such as training materials and guides. A new stockist locator function has recently been added, allowing consumers to quickly and easily locate their nearest retailer of British Wool products. The new functionality is designed to complement the British Wool licensee scheme, which promotes products with verified levels of British wool fibre content.
With options to search across different product categories, including carpets, clothing, beds and bedding, consumers can find their five nearest stores by current location, postcode or town. Once they’ve located their preferred store, they can view further information and request directions. British Wool also produces a range of in-store materials specifically designed to promote the benefits of British wool in carpets.
Adam Carpets
recognise that most people will research online before stepping into a store to buy. So, they have developed several initiatives to engage and inspire consumers and direct them to their local retailer to purchase. With over 250 million people worldwide using Pinterest every month, it has established itself as the main social media platform for sharing ideas and creating mood boards. Adam Carpets can be found on Pinterest sharing a gallery of inspirational photography for those who use the social network to visually share and discover ideas for their home and next interiors project.
Just as important is being able to provide information in a concise way on your website. Recognising the popularity of stripes, consumers can now download a dedicated stripe brochure from Adam Carpets website. Designed to inspire and give confidence on how to use stripes, Adam Carpets have even curated a selection of plain carpets from their vast collection to go with each stripe in an easy to use index. Thus allowing consumers to create a wonderful flowing theme throughout their home. Carpet samples are available through the website free of charge and most importantly consumers can find their nearest five retailers by simply typing in their postcode.
The portal gives customers a 24-hour service, 365 days a year, meaning even when Victoria Carpets offices are closed, retailers do not have to panic about those last-minute orders. Orders can be placed, stock can be checked and prices shown. Customers can even access their invoice history to make admin easier. Victoria Carpets also offer a free sample service via their website. They understand that for many of consumers, choosing their new flooring is a big decision, therefore they can order up to 4 free samples of any of their beautifully unique ranges. This will help them not only see the colour they desire, but also get a feel for the texture and quality that you would expect from Victoria Carpets.
LTP
’s Product Selector offers instant advice on surface care and treatment, for all types of tile and stone. The free online resource at ltp-productguide.co.uk identifies the correct eco-treatment according to surface type and symptom – with continuous updates to include the latest tile finishes and related issues. As well as providing support for tile and stone specifiers, installers and end users, Product Selector is also a valuable retail sales aid and training tool.
MasterPiece Cloud
’s popularity stems partly from its simplicity of use and partly from the modular approach which allows a retailer to choose just the components that they need. The base version is well guided and can be learned with a half hour talk though and about a half hour self-practice. At £30 +VAT a month it is affordable and cost effective on iPad, Android or Windows, for the one man band or larger retailer.
At the other end of the scale MasterPiece has benefited from investment from national coverage retailers such as Carpetright, John Lewis and SCS and become the estimation system of choice.
Retailers can also choose how much use to make of MasterPiece in their store. For a very low rental charge a ‘read, print and email’ license is available where user can open any job but not modify it. There is then an extension to be able to load new jobs, capture pre-visit information and print a measure sheet. Further to this, a store can take up a ‘customer own measure’ facility in which customer’s measurements are used to create either a ballpark or firm quote. Tile planning, for instance for Amtico and Karndean continues to be refined, as does the take-off from imported PDF floor plans. Any retailer knows that they have a market leading system in MasterPiece that is extensible with their business.
For more information contact:
Adam Carpets
T: 01562 822247 www.adamcarpets.com
British Wool
T: 01274 688666 www.britishwool.org.uk
LPT
T: 01823 666213 www.ltp-productguide.co.uk
MasterPiece
T: 01737 355831 charles@masterpiece-system.com
Victoria Carpets
T: 01562 749600 www.victoriacarpets.com
Adam Carpets
T: 01562 822247 www.adamcarpets.com
British Wool
T: 01274 688666 www.britishwool.org.uk
LPT
T: 01823 666213 www.ltp-productguide.co.uk
MasterPiece
T: 01737 355831 charles@masterpiece-system.com
Victoria Carpets
T: 01562 749600 www.victoriacarpets.com
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