PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
Electronics retailer Maplin has introduced an enhanced product rating and review feature to its e-commerce website.
This solution, launched with the help of Greenlight Digital, uses the Bazaarvoice platform to encourage customers to better engage with the retailer as part of the Ask Maplin brand campaign.
Customers can ask questions and read expert advice as well as posting their own product reviews and reviewing other customer’s opinions.
This feature builds on the solution Greenlight Digital delivered in November 2013 using the SAP hybris commerce platform. This platform has been extended to add fulfilment and delivery options including same-day delivery, Click & Collect, and personalised product recommendations.
It has contributed to the strongest annual sales growth the company has experienced for seven years.
Maplin went into new ownership last year, with new owner Rutland Partners telling PCR of its plans to improve Maplin’s position in the etail space.
Neil McGowan, CTO of Maplin, said: “We decided in 2013 that our site needed to be completely overhauled and chose Greenlight to the deliver a solution based on SAP hybris.
"The recent trading results show our focus on improving the Maplin product and service proposition through an enhanced web and mobile customer experience is paying off, and we now have a core platform upon which we will build our future omni-channel systems to deliver an outstanding customer experience.”
Kevin Murray, director of ecommerce at Greenlight Digital, added: “We worked very closely with Maplin to deliver a unique customer experience, based on the SAP hybris commerce platform. We have recently signed a new delivery and support agreement which recognises our commitment to work together to achieve digital growth at Maplin.”
In similar news, Maplin has chosen end-to-end logistics specialist iForce as its multichannel partner to manage all of its warehousing needs.
iForce has implanted into Maplin’s Rotherham-based site, to manage their nationwide online and store replenishment enabling, through their SMART warehouse management system.
A Click and Collect proposition has been introduced whilst also increasing stock accuracy and capacity for further SKU ranges.
“iForce has already helped us to further improve the Maplin customer experience, enabling us to innovate in the multichannel arena and provide increased product choice, improved availability and collection options for our loyal customers. With iForce’s expertise in partnership with ours, we have a strong business model going forward”, commented Maplin CEO John Cleland.
