Retail Matters

Retail

matters

This month Online4baby’s Managing Director, Christy Foster is taking a look at the digital landscape.

As the Summer season comes to an end, keep in mind that Winter is right around and appearing in spaces relevant to your audience. If your customers are on specific social platforms, your brand should be the corner. Make sure you are too. 44% of UK consumers say prepared for the retail

holidays of the year: “Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas and Boxing Day. Childcare items make up a whopping 22% of the most popular goods purchased online[1] and UK consumers are forecast to increase spend by 34.7% online in 2021[2], it is essential that your they are actively using digital website, apps and tech are channels more in 2021[3]. Recent optimised, your strategy is ready statistics continue to persuade us and plans are underway so your that this shift in consumer business is equipped for a very behaviour is not a temporary busy end of the year. change. Social media is quickly

The digital landscape is now on its way to becoming the new more important than ever to department store. If you do not retailers and succeeding online is have an omni-channel approach a necessity in order to grow and already, it might be time to adjust build your brand. Of course, your business model and assess success is measured through the what changes need to be made increase of online sales, hitting to progress to the next level for KPIs and resulting in a clear ROI. your brand. However, online success is also Changing up your strategy and about building an engaged exploring what options are community through social media, available will become invaluable positive brand communications to you later down the line.

The digital landscape is now more important than ever to retailers and succeeding online is a necessity in order to grow and build your brand. “

Knowing what works and what doesn’t when it comes to selling to your audience is a great strength that only comes with testing different channels and figuring out what is best for your business. If your brand is struggling with building consumer trust, influencer campaigns can be a good way to develop this. Consumers are twice as likely to trust the people they follow on social media to give an honest review of a product than they are to trust the website of the company selling the product[4]. If brand awareness is something you want to work on, a comprehensive PR strategy can help convey the values which resonate with your target audience.

Taking a more consumercentric style to your marketing and communications isn’t spoken about enough in the ‘new normal’ we are now in. It’s been a tough year, especially for parents. From the stress of home-schooling to financial struggles, connecting with them on a human-to-human level is crucial. Examining your brand’s external and internal communications and confirming your language is focusing on the correct people, be that customers or employees. Does your brand’s tone of voice best represents your brand and the people behind it? You might be surprised with what you uncover.

It is very important to us at Online4baby to listen to what our customers want and make the necessary changes to accommodate them. We take an ‘always-on’ mentality, everything can always be improved or enhanced, and we look to our customers to help guide us on what to focus on next. We are in the process of launching our new website, which will revolutionise the consumer experience and our working practices. Alongside this, we are making even more strategic decisions around the future of our business and ensuring we have the right people in place to deliver growth over the coming years. It is a very exciting time and we can’t wait to see our hard work behind the scenes come to fruition very soon!

Sources: Statistica, 2021 eMarketer, 2020 Facebook, 2021 MicroBiz, 2021

Babymore sees encouraging growth

Throughout a difficult period, Babymore has maintained an upward trajectory, with excellent products, sustainable levels of stock and competitive pricing.

The last 18 months have been a really testing time for many retailers, squeezed margins, diminishing stock levels and sky high customer expectations. However, throughout this time, with the generous support of retailers nationwide, Babymore has seen a healthy and sustained period of growth. This has been achieved with a combination of sensible planning, great customer service, imaginative promotions and good communication. The furniture on offer from Babymore has been paramount in the company’s success, the quality is second to none and the design and manufacture are category leading, all at the very best prices in the industry. The Eva, Stella, Velvet and Bel range continue to lead the way with many unique features, the drop sided option being one of the stand out selling points.

The furniture ranges are supported by their very popular chemical free mattress selection. All sizes are available and Babymore offers a full range from fibre through to an industry leading Dual Core mattress.

On top of all this, Babymore has also seen magnificent growth coming from the Memore Pushchair range, available as an 11 or 13pc system, with or without a high spec car seat and Isofix base. The quality is superb, with everything you need supplied as standard, and the price is easily the best in category.

Babymore continue to innovate and adapt and are looking forward to seeing you all at Harrogate Hall Q, Stand 15, to discuss how they can assist to ensure a great year ahead.

www.babymore.co.uk