Thriving through technology
Technology has a hugely positive impact in securing flooring sales. From engaging social media and visualisation platforms designed to inspire consumers, to dedicated trade portals and estimating tools created to make life easier for retailers.
With a host of new features introduced this year, Cormar Carpet Company's award-winning online Trade Portal continues to thrive, making it the place to go for online trading amongst carpet retailers.
Since its launch in 2011, the portal has gone from strength to strength with over 60% of customers now placing orders via the online service.
During a recent survey, over 90% of users reported Cormar’s Trade Portal as the best in the industry, and with a host of new features introduced this year, the portal is now better than ever.
In the past year, Cormar have invested over £100,000 towards new developments such as a downloadable marketing materials area, as well as providing customers with an industry leading after-sales service.
Recently debuted at The Flooring Show, Cormar have also introduced a new pending deliveries feature. Another useful service enhancement, this exciting addition allows customers to view upcoming deliveries, at a glance, from their account dashboard; further streamlining Cormar’s service and providing improved visibility of order information for their customers.
“Since its launch in 2011, the portal has gone from strength
to strength with over 60% of customers now placing orders via
the online service.”
Cormar are committed to continuing to work with their customers to further enhance user experience and bring useful and exciting new features to their Trade Portal, enabling customers to carry out most of their interactions with Cormar online, should they choose to do so.
The Associated Weavers Customer Portal is the next stage in constantly improving AW service level in their partnerships with customers.
Recognising that customer expectations have changed, as when ordering carpet or other flooring solutions in retail shops, the end consumer wants to be informed about product availability, possible alternatives and expected timing of delivery. The AW Customer Portal addresses these functions and will help retailers to close the order.
The introduction of the portal creates a 24/7 order entry channel: AW customers and partners have an all-time access to their product portfolio (wall-to-wall carpet, carpet tiles and luxury vinyl flooring). Customers can check product availability, possible alternatives and expected timing
of delivery.
Simultaneously, the portal will lead to higher transparency and reliable tracking of open orders up to delivery. Finally, the portal is expected to lead to higher accuracy in order intake and a reduction of errors and returns.
“AW customers and partners have an all-time access to their
product portfolio (wall-to-wall carpet, carpet tiles and luxury
vinyl flooring).”
Amtico knows that picking the perfect fl ooring takes time and planning. To help give customers plenty of inspiration, expert advice and details on all its LVT collections, there’s lots of social media engagement with Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook and a clearly laid out website with everything needed to navigate the world of LVT including an online Room Visualiser to view potential products in the customer’s own home.
Instagram is a wonderful tool for getting real-life inspiration from customers’ homes. Head to @amticofl ooring for on-trend patterns and designs, classic and contemporary styles and ideas for laying patterns to kick-start a new project. Pinterest and Facebook also show Amtico’s LVT in different spaces and rooms to give a feel for the various looks and styles that can be achieved.
On Amtico’s engaging website, customers will find images and information for all of its LVT products as well as ideas for laying patterns and there’s the opportunity to order samples. The Room Visualiser meanwhile is so simple to use. Customers can see how the different products will look in an example of a room or even upload their own room image for a personalised preview.
Going one step further, Amtico One retailers also have an in-store Room Visualiser, so customers can not only see how the different LVT products will look in their own home, but they’ll also have an expert on hand to guide them through.
Furlong Flooring, is making waves in the flooring industry with its innovative use of online tools and technology. Their recent achievement of the Gold Flooring Innovation Award for its Room Viewer is a testament to its commitment to enhancing customer experience and staying at the forefront of the industry.
Furlong Flooring's Room Viewer is a game-changer, allowing customers to envision their spaces with various flooring options. This online visualiser tool empowers users to choose from Furlong's extensive
fl ooring range, spanning carpet, hardwood, laminate, vinyl, and LVT. With just a few clicks, customers can take a picture of their room and instantly see how it would transform with their selected flooring style.
This interactive tool is easily accessible through the Furlong Flooring website and in-store via QR codes strategically placed at points of sale.
This seamless integration of technology enables customers to visualise their chosen flooring in their actual living or working environments, making the decision-making process more informed and convenient.
Furlong Flooring's dedication to providing a comprehensive range
of flooring types and styles sets them apart in the industry. Their commitment to customer service is further evident through their four distribution centres, strategically positioned to serve customers across the UK and Ireland. Additionally, their in-house delivery fleet ensures
efficient and reliable service.
Ian Collacott, Sales Director at Furlong Flooring, recognizes the importance of helping customers make informed choices. He notes,
"Building a visualiser tool brings an additional service experience to our retailers and commercial partners as part of their sales processes, as well as enabling end customers to make informed choices about the flooring they want, based on a view that's as accurate as possible."
MasterPiece offer end-to-end support, by integrating on-site measuring, planning and estimating with in-store operations and delivery of customer orders. This cloud based seamless end-to-end system can be accessed on Android, iPad, Windows or Mac, to suit the on-site estimator, in-store sales personnel, diary manager, and user of the accounting system.
The customer journey typically begins in-store with the collection of
contact details and a diary entry for a visit date. If the customer would like a ballpark quote and/or has brought own measurements, then MasterPiece enables even a novice sales person to do these rapidly and accurately.
MasterPiece is the ‘go to’ software for measuring and planning
and supporting the selling process via costing, emailed estimates
and invoices. The same rapid ‘telephone speed’ facility for doing costing revisions is used by both estimator and then post visit
by the salesperson.
On acceptance, ‘Info for Fitter’ (floor plan, cut plan & fitting sheet) is
automatically generated; the fitting sheet informs the warehouse exactly
what to put in the van. The fitter sees each room’s requirements and the
customer’s responsibilities pre-fitting.
The scheduling diary supports the fittings manager by automatically
assessing the duration of fi t and handling agreement with the customer
on time band of arrival. The fitter sees his own schedule and can capture
customer signature.
The accounting system manager is provided with a check-off list of
entries to make into the accounts system. The salesperson is also able to
handle simple in-store sales which don’t require a visit to measure.
Hugh MacKay will be launching an updated website and customer
portal in January 2024.
The website will have their room visualiser service, Visualize it, where
the user can choose a sample room and visualise any of their products
or upload a picture of their own room to see exactly how their chose product will look in the room. They also have Design It, where the user
can take an existing design from their archive, which has hundreds of
designs to choose from and recolour using their Infi nity Axminster colour
palettes. Once the design and colours have been chosen, the carpet can
be viewed in a room setting. Customers can also order samples online
which are posted direct to their home.
“The new customer portal will be accessible from the
Hugh MacKay website and designed to make their retailers lives
as easy as possible.”
The new customer portal will be accessible from the Hugh MacKay
website and designed to make their retailers lives as easy as possible.
Retailers can access their account, check stock, orders and pricing as well as placing cut orders around the clock.
ADP Distribution are a family run company based in the West Midlands with over 50 years combined specialist experience in the visual
merchandising industry. ADP provides seven main services including
distribution, carpet distribution, installation, merchandising, project
management and sampling and fulfilment. ADP has the skills, expertise and infrastructure to complete projects on time, in budget and to a
high standard.
They are very excited to announce that they can now offer customers
a fantastic new online tool, which allows them to keep updated with all
their delivery and logistic requirements.
“ADP provides seven main services including distribution, carpet distribution, installation, merchandising, project management
and sampling and fullment.”
The new online customer account service will enable customers to keep
track of all their distribution projects 24/7. Customers simply log onto
their account, to access an array of information about their consignments, including proof of deliveries and project images – singular and in bulk, view stock levels in real time for all SKU’s stored, copy statements, invoices and all other financial information.
The new tool also allows customers to upload orders in bulk for point
of sale and carpet order’s, including a logistics manual order form for
all dedicated requests. Finally, customers can view all completed and
outstanding order dates, so keeping track of everything in one easy to
use tool.
For more information contact:
ADP Distribution 0121 559 6783 adp-distribution.co.uk
Amtico amtico.com/room-visualiser @amticoflooring on Instagram
Associated Weavers +32 497 70 98 00 associated-weavers.com
Cormar Carpet Company 01204 881234 portal.cormarcarpets.co.uk
Furlong Flooring 01322 628700 furlongflooring.com/roomviewer
Hugh MacKay 01429 892525 hughmackay.co.uk
Masterpiece 01737 355831 masterpiece-system.com
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