BUYERS’ GUIDE
And relax…
Let technology take the strain
Keep track of your business anywhere There is little in an interiors retail store you can’t find a software package to handle, designed to make the task easier, quicker and more professional. Except perhaps dealing with customers in-store: computers cannot replace people here. Victoria Group recently highlighted the fleet management software used by Alliance Logistics to manage its 240-strong delivery fleet, enabling live traffic updates and live route planning. The group allows retailers live tracking of their orders, alongside real-time updates via email and text message. Not that long ago such facilities were the stuff of dreams for logistics managers and finance directors: giving high-level service, keeping costs down and stockists happy. Also in flooring, Headlam has introduced its transactional myheadlam app, allowing retailers to trade with all their Headlam accounts on their phone or tablet. Retailers can search for all products stocked by the group; check real-time availability and prices; place orders quickly; review order history and track live orders. The app also features a room visualiser, which can be used to show customers how any particular flooring would look in situ. The app is available for iOS and Android and users can personalise their settings to suit their preferences. But, of course it’s not just in flooring retail that software is playing its part. Furniture retailers can unite their accounts, warehousing, online and marketing to make life much simpler and more productive. Manufacturers have been passing on frequent price increases
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Interiors Monthly December 2021
in recent months and woe betide a retailer who misses updating their new retail prices as a result. Let the software sort it for you, rather than manually change every price online. And to find out what is stopping a customer completing their online order, you’ll need software to track what happens to their baskets and then to
contact them to ask politely why they are still possible future customers, rather than already awaiting delivery of their new item. Every software package is likely to have features you won’t use or need, so do get the provider to explain fully what the benefits are and if you can upgrade later when you really do need the functionality. Keep on top of how your business is performing right now
