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EMBRACING DIGITAL: WHY BATHROOM RETAILERS NEED TO FACE THE FUTURE It could be argued that the digital revolution has been ongoing for decades, but one thing is for certain – 2020 was the year it truly came into its own.
95%
As the world locked down and stayed in, for many businesses (and people) the only way to continue working and socialising was virtually. From Zoom meetings and online audiences to test and trace apps and e-commerce, for much of the past 12 months, if you couldn’t do it online, you couldn’t do it at all.
of respondents have a company website 1% on last year
be used for 5% can online purchasing 2% on last year
With more and more consumers choosing to browse online even before the pandemic, this all goes to highlight why it is imperative that bathroom retailers and merchants make their presence felt. Earlier this year, Alex Ainge, Managing Director of Compusoft, considered the future of bathroom retail in a piece for KBB Review, coming to the conclusion that it did, indeed, need to be digital. He wrote: “Retailers have had to be inventive to attract potential clients. From online appointments and virtual showroom tours to connecting on other online platforms, retailers’ determination and creativity has been great. “And while, at some point in the future, things may go back to how we remember before the pandemic hit, there is also a chance that some of the changes brought about by Coronavirus, might stay with us for the long term. If this is the case, how do we adapt to the ‘new normal’ and continue to thrive?”
To be seen According to our 2020 Industry Report, while 95% of respondents had a website, only 5% of those could be used to make online orders. That’s because, particularly in pre-pandemic times, a website is a key way for potential customers to find out about businesses. Social networks are a fantastic way of boosting business, however as we get more digitally savvy, there are many more tools that can be used. A website gives off a far more professional image, tailored, with your own branding and fuller details of what you offer. It can also be used to add value to your brand, with longer-form content such as blogs on bathroom trends, testimonials and case studies to add weight to your expertise.
Feeding social That’s not to say social media isn’t important; it is, and in 2021, we would argue that a presence on at least one platform is vital.
Virtual meetings are taking place instead of face-to-face
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