BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Giant has teamed up with leading EPOS suppliers to connect online consumers to all Giant retailers.
This latest development from Giant opens up participating retailer’s stock to Giant’s Webshop users across the UK and Ireland.
Giant said the move is part of its ethos of supporting independent cycle retailers and improving the consumer experience.
Giant UK Digital Specialist Simon Jenkinson explained: “The ‘Dealer Stock’ project meets consumers’ demand for real time information as people increasingly make multi channel purchase decision’s, it empowers consumers to quickly find sought after models in the actual retail channel – either for purchase immediately with delivery through Click & Collect or Home Set Up, or by using the information to purchase in store.”
The firm said that by harnessing its strong search position and connecting active searchers – the platform will help independent retailers to level the playing field and compete against large multiple online retailers.
Giant UK MD Ian Beasant added: “We consistently top Google search results for Giant and Liv products and we’ve had examples of customers using our retailer listing to ring around many stores, in some cases more than 20, trying to find stock of a specific bike, while that same bike is sat on other retailers’ shop floor. Connecting customers who are actively searching online with retailers’ shop floor stock is the logical solution for improving the customer experience while supporting independent specialist retailers.”
Unlike online affiliate schemes which deliver retailers sales then charge a commission, Giant will generate new sales for bikes that retailers have already committed to stock completely commission free. Maintaining retailers’ existing margins less any payment processing fees, including subsidised finance rates for UK dealers, Giant aims to generate their retailers new customers at no additional cost.
Results of the initial pilot of limited retailers and traffic exceeded expectations and Giant has launched the function site wide in the UK and Ireland with existing partners Abacus, Citrus-Lime and Seanic. For retailers with no EPOS system, the new Stock Upload function on the Giant B2B website offers a simple alternative.
Giant is ready to work with additional EPOS suppliers and retailers immediately; EPOS suppliers looking to integrate should contact Simon Jenkinson (sjenkinson@giant-biycles.co.uk / +44 (0) 844 245 9030) while Giant Retailers wanting to join the scheme should contact their Retail Support Manager or complete this short online form.
