It is well known that the pandemic has moved shopping increasingly online and two long established Norfolk electrical retailers have taken the step to serve local and national customers better, with the launch of a new, dual-branded ecommerce website.
update the website functionality and our ranges online to meet this demand.” He adds, “In addition, merging our websites will provide customers with a wider product range from leading well-known brands, plus there is an extensive range of services for customers to choose from and highly competitive prices. It makes sense to bring this together Award-winning independent retail- on one website.” ers, Snellings, based in Blofield “We created our first Gerald Giles Heath, and Gerald Giles, based in website in 1999 to provide inforNorwich, are trusted family busimation to local customers and this nesses with over 73 years of retail longstanding experience of ecominnovation. merce has subsequently benefitted Although the businesses merged in Snellings and our overall bussiness. We decided to use the 2011 under the ownership of the Gerald Giles website address as it Snelling Group, led by managing receives the most website visitors director Paul Giles, they have had and it is well established on separate websites - until now. Google. People who search for The new advanced website can be Snellings in the future will automatifound at cally be forwarded on to this new www.geraldgiles.co.uk website.” It allows customers to enjoy the The new website contains 1000’s convenience of online shopping, with comprehensive product, brand information and advice at their fingertips. Both shops have seen a big increase in online sales in the last 15 months, particularly Gerald Giles, whose previous website allowed customers from across the UK to purchase a wide range of Small Kitchen applainces such as Food Mixers, Processors, Fryers, Kettles, Toasters & Vacuum Cleaners, plus a wide range of accessories. Mr Giles says, “We have been planning one website for both brands for some time and the recent increase in online traffic and sales success meant we learnt a lot about how people are shopping and what they are looking for. We have used these experiences to
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of products from top electrical brands such as Sony, Miele, Samsung, Bosch, Panasonic, Neff, Bose, Siemens and more, with free delivery UK delivery on orders over £100. The business services 1000’s of customers every year and a new distribution centre in Norwich has been created to efficiently store and distribute products. Mr Giles adds, “Our focus is electrical innovation, taking technology to customers and providing excellent customer service, which builds on our successful heritage. Our business has a strong tradition of being forward-thinking and following the latest trends. Our founders, Roy Snelling and Gerald Giles, were quick to adapt to, and embrace, new technology and had a perpetual drive to improve their businesses. We are keeping this tradition alive.”