New channel to market for Harris + Russell

31 January 2006

Harris + Russell, one of the UK’s leading independent electrical wholesalers, today unveils its revolutionary new online business platform and corporate identity, created by leading brand and digital agency Rufus Leonard.

Harris + Russell’s management team approached Rufus Leonard early in 2005, after deciding they needed to streamline ordering with their customers and explore new avenues to develop additional business streams, in order to remain competitive against the increasing dominance of larger well-known electrical retailers.  Harris + Russell distribute brown goods to a wide network of independent retailers throughout the UK.  Therefore first class systems for stock control, ordering and e-commerce are vital for the successful functioning of Harris + Russell’s operations, as well as that of their customers.

At the out set of the project, the team at Rufus Leonard held a number of workshops with Harris and Russell to determine the new business opportunities for on-line trading. As a result the concept of providing fully managed, uniquely branded microsites for their retailer customers, was conceived. The Rufus team have now developed a new brand identity; a fully integrated content management system (CMS) and procurement system alongside the development of a portfolio of uniquely branded microsites for each retailer. Together the initiatives combine to result in a completely new online channel to market for the company.

Today the Harris + Russell site is live along with 6 retailer microsites.  This pilot will be live for the next 3 months to test and refine ordering and management processes.  Once completed an additional 160 independent retailers will come on board and develop their own microsites throughout 2006.

Russell Harris, Managing Director of Harris + Russell, comments:

“The process that we have gone through with the team at Rufus Leonard is of immense strategic importance to all of us at Harris + Russell.  In an increasingly on-line world, it is imperative that smaller, independent companies shouldn’t miss out to the larger high street chains.   The content management system, procurement system and microsites have already resulted in time and cost savings, while expanding our customer’s market place and  allowing us to expand our business operations.   We are absolutely delighted with the finished result.”

To mark the launch of Harris + Russell’s new e-commerce platform, the company is also unveiling its new corporate identity – the first change since its birth in the 1960’s.  Again, this has been developed by the team at Rufus Leonard and is a radical departure from the rather dated identity that has been used to date.