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Responsive eCommerce –a shoe in for 2014

For more information on the range of services offered by Visualsoft, contact the team on 01642 633604.

IN 2013 it’s almost unheard offor any retailer to not beoperating an online store, andwith the popularity of mobileand tablet devices increasingyear on year, now is the timeto put your efforts intoensuring your business canwithstand the multi channelera with a ResponsiveeCommerce approach.

Convenience and value hascatapulted eCommerce intothe record books, with overalleCommerce sales increased 20 per cent since June 2011, and mCommerce salesincreasing by a staggering 136 per cent during the same period. This is even moresegmented in the fashion and footwear industry, where it has been reported thatfashion, footwear and accessories are overall one of the top ranking categoriesthat global consumers are most likely to buy online in 2013, second to only booksand magazines.

With trends spreading faster than ever in today’s connected world, thanks tosocial media, the value of being able to quickly and economically find the lateststyles on smart phones and tablets on the move cannot be underestimated.

As well as optimised images, straightforward navigation, and flexible layouts thatcondense as required, Visualsoft’s responsive eCommerce approach to webdesign and development also benefits from streamlined functionality suitable fortouch-screens, which can enhance the user experience, reduce panning andscrolling, and ultimately increase conversions.

Based in the North East of England, Visualsoft is one of the UK’s leading webdevelopment companies, providing Responsive eCommerce website design,development and online marketing services to online retailers from around the UKand Europe.

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By Ian Tomlinson Chief executive of Cybertill

Everyone has experienced the frustration ofbuying online but being out when the courier calls. Then getting the parcelredelivered becomes a mission in itself. Well there is a solution for retailers and customers in ‘click and collect’.

Click and collect is helping retailers of all sizesto increase their delivery options to suit shoppers’ ever expanding needs. As shopperscontinue to place importance on convenience,click and collect allows customers to get whatthey want, where they want it. A recent report predicted that click and collect purchases will beworth over £4bn by 2018.

Not only does click and collect stop the need for customers to wait in for deliveries, it also helps customers feel more assured in their purchase andincrease brand trust as they can visit a physical location with real people. Thisphenomenon has become a standard option when shopping online, and a featureall retailers must offer in order to truly succeed.

For retailers to offer such a facility they need live stock levels and sales figuresacross their business. So how can online and independent footwear retailers offerclick and collect? A simple way to do this is via a web-based EPoS system. Thistype of system gives a retailer visibility of all sales as they happen and with it realtime stock levels. So you don’t get the situation where customers reserve a product online only to get to the store to be told there is no stock of that item.

The future of retail is about flexibility and offering customers: choice, convenienceand excellent service. Click and collect does all three of these.

GGiivvee yyoouurr ccuussttoommeerrss tthheeggiifftt ooff ‘‘cclliicckk aanndd ccoolllleecctt’’

0800 030 4459www.cybertill.co.ukenquiries@cybertill.co.uk

Ian Tomlinson

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NATIONAL Shoe Fitting Week will take place the week commencing April 12 2014

This promotion is for all the shoe trade. We really need your input as we need toplan our advertising and promotion. Please let us know what sort of promotionalmaterial you would like to receive.

It would be great if branded footwear companies helped with the cost. Despite lots ofshops and suppliers getting involved last year, the only contributor financially was the CFHR,so with the weight of professional advertising agencies and PR companies, we could allmake an amazing splash for the footwear industry. Everyone can play their part withpromotion on social media and should use it to gain publicity for their business.

This promotion is about shoe fitting and the importance of fit – but the key message ispersonal service...

Going to shops and being 'served' is vital to the national economy. If retail doors shut, thechoice of footwear available to the public will be extremely limited, many suppliers will close,which is not good for anyone – but the bigger picture is councils lose revenue, people areunemployed and the number of services a shop uses are reduced, therefore theunemployment stretches further. This is a big responsibility and we should all take itseriously. This is a chance to join forces to fight to keep shops open, particularlyindependents. By doing so, brands are well represented and the public properly fitted....which in turn saves the NHS in remedial care for years to come.

• Do you have any other ideas or suggestions to make this event bigger and better? If so,please let us know ASAP.• Please make contact with your local media/podiatrists/GPs/schools/nurseries/etc well inadvance as they may have ideas how they can work with you and include you inpromotional plans.• You also need to make full use of social networking sites and encourage your suppliers todo the same.

If you have over four years’ experience fitting footwear,adding orthotics etc and would like to become amember of our organisation you can take our entranceapplication for £50. Alternatively for those who need proper shoe fittingtraining and would like to gain our qualification, there arestill course places available at the MODA reduced rate of£500.

KKeeeepp FFeeeett FFiitt –– NNaattiioonnaallSShhooee FFiittttiinngg WWeeeekk

Contact secretary@shoefitters-uk.org formore information and if you would like tohelp/participate in National Shoe FittingWeek 2014.

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