Harris + Russell

Online trading

The brief
Harris + Russell wanted to strengthen its relationship with retailers and drive down order processing costs, while creating new markets for wholesale services. H+R recognised the best way to do this, was to enable retailers to order its products online, providing more control and transparency in the ordering process for the retailer.

Our approach
Rufus Leonard developed the idea of creating ecommerce microsites for each of H+R’s individual retailer clients, to enable them to trade online. Each site demonstrates the full range of H+R’s products and is managed by H+R’s own content management system (CMS). The new service is designed to offer independent retailers a wider range of products for their customers and extend their reach into new markets.
 
Rufus Leonard also developed an online procurement system that allows retailers to place orders and manage their product transactions from one central source. The fully integrated system now streamlines what was an antiquated ordering and fulfilment process.

The value
H+R’s integrated and simplified business processes have begun to save time and money and open up new business opportunities for both manufacturers and independent retailers. The microsite network has created a radical new trading model: retailers are now reaching new markets and attracting a wider group of consumers.

The ecommerce application is now offered as a ‘white label’ solution to other intermediaries. As a result of these changes, H+R has introduced more online products, which it can stock on the retailer’s behalf at no extra cost. They are also able to control the flow of special offers from manufacturers and support these with high quality product information and images. By creating new markets for its products, H+R is now seen less as a straightforward distributor, but more as a market maker in an exceptionally competitive market place.

http://www.harrisandrussell.com