Latest updates and insights from Kerridge Commercial Systems

Customer shopping habits have been shifting for some time, but the past 18 months have really expedited the pace of change. Recent research suggests that over the past year, 46% of consumers have shopped online for a product they would previously have bought in store. The convenience that ecommerce provides is here to stay, and it’s up to your business to make sure you have a platform that is up to the task.

Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS) has expanded its offering, not only by providing leading ERP solutions, but also a range of ecommerce platforms that are fully integrated with its software. Many businesses are already reaping the benefits of B2B and B2C online trading by using these platforms, as are their own customers.

An ecommerce website has quickly gone from being a ‘nice to have’ to a crucial tool for staying competitive in today’s market. Regardless of the industry you’re operating in, your customers will expect you to have a website – but what if you’ve never launched your business online before?

Giles Greenslade, Business Development Director for Ecommerce at Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS) reveals his top tips for making those all-important first steps into the online domain.

The need for flexible, forward-thinking ERP software has never been greater for businesses. Companies have had to adapt to changing circumstances over the past year - and in many cases, their ERP solution has been integral to making this happen.

Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS) provides software that has helped companies trade in different, smarter ways. There are several key features of its ERP solutions that have made this possible, by equipping users with the functionality they need to future-proof their operations.

Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS) launches solutions to help its customers keep moving in difficult times

Businesses have been left with little option but to adapt to the 'new norm' that's arisen as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is why at KCS we have focused our efforts on giving our customers access to solutions and methodologies that can quickly help them prepare for these challenges.

It's fair to say that 2020 has created some unusual trading conditions for businesses. However, companies using SaaS have weathered the storm better than most - is it time you joined them?

Shopping cart abandonment can lead to major concerns for online businesses, especially when they experience them in high levels. Considering the fact that at least 50% of all carts are abandoned during the online shopping cycle, it is important that online merchants do everything in their power to ensure that customers continue with their shopping process, and complete the purchase. Here is how you can combat shopping cart abandonment and win back customers:

Tony Pey, Head of Product Marketing, examines how to really achieve digital transformation, by using IT to change your business’ culture and behavior.

It doesn’t seem all that long ago when K8 was the primary software platform that Kerridge Commercial Systems’ (KCS) customers used to run their businesses. 

You know that we now live in an increasingly digital world. For businesses, initially this meant having a website, then moving into e-commerce, and more recently, having a social media presence. However, the most forward-thinking businesses have now moved beyond these elements and are busy adopting their digital strategy.

Did you know that in 2016, mobile devices such as Smartphones overtook PCs as the most popular device for surfing the net, and more search is carried out on Smartphones than on any other device?  We all vastly underestimate how much time we spend on our mobile devices (phones and tablets), sometimes by as much as 30%. In 2017, mobiles will be used to consume more content than televisions.

Tony Pey, Head of Sales Engineering at Kerridge Commercial Systems, explains the benefits of using eCommerce.

A mobile responsive website is one that is designed to work just as well whether it is viewed on a PC or laptop, tablet, mobile phone or other device; either the layout or the content or both respond and adapt based on the size and orientation of screen on which they are presented to the viewer.

It may seem that the Christmas period offers marketing opportunities primarily for retailers with consumer customers; people don’t tend to buy building, industrial or automotive supplies as Christmas presents. However there are seasonal opportunities for merchants, distributors and wholesalers too, and especially for those with a B2B ecommerce solution.

Shopping cart abandonment is one of the main issues for online traders. According to recent research, three quarters of the world’s online shopping carts are abandoned, which means that you are potentially losing a lot of business.

Tony Pey, Head of Sales Engineering at Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS), explains how using multi-channel ecommerce software that is fully integrated with your ERP system delivers a more satisfying experience for your customers and makes life easier for your staff.

Since we last wrote about omni-channel commerce and shared the top omni-channel customer service experiences that customers want, new research has been released that highlights the importance of creating a seamless experience for customers, across all of your channels.

Companies in the distributive trades have seen a massive shift in their customers’ expectations, in recent years. B2B customers, whether they are builders or plumbers, retailers or manufacturers, car mechanics or caterers, are consumers as well. As such, they have got used to rich omni-channel experiences when shopping for personal items, and expect to have the same ease, convenience and level of service when buying goods for business use.

What does Omni-Channel Commerce mean?

Put simply, it means engaging with your customers, for sales, marketing and customer services, across multiple channels, in such a way that they have a consistent experience of your organisation, regardless of channel or device.

Online trading: the fastest growing retail market in Europe

According to the Centre for Retail Research, ecommerce is the fastest growing retail market in Europe, with overall online sales expected to grow by over 18% during 2015. These figures don’t come as a great surprise. The way that we all shop has changed dramatically over the last decade and this is now impacting on all areas of our lives, at home and within our work places.

Deliver seamless self service experience

Following our latest series of articles, on making it easy for customers to do business with you, below is a guide to building a successful e-commerce self service environment, for your trade supplies customers.

Successful expansion demands total control over all your business streams and the flexibility to develop additional routes to market. Will new branches provide the promised service, your supply chain cope with new product lines, or an innovative sales channel justify the investment?

Making it easy for customers to buy

What are the key things you need to do in order to provide a smooth experience for those customers who not only shop via mobile, but also swap between devices?

It is crucial that businesses understand customer relationship management tools in order to secure long-term clients. With competitors acting as a constant threat to trading, it is important that you are ahead of the game when it comes to client needs.