One of Australia and New Zealand’s largest direct sellers of books and gifts has launched a new website and ecommerce platform providing customers with a broader range of products.
Established in 1990, Books & Gifts Direct sells a wide selection of books and gifts for up to 70 per cent off the recommended retail prices through display boxes in workplaces across the country.
Managing director Joseph Craven says the new online platform―which took more than 18 months in planning and development and cost $1.5 million―will open up opportunities for its 200 franchisees with new customers that they otherwise would not have been able to service.
“At Books & Gifts Direct we are always looking for ways to improve the way we do business and with a growing customer base it was time for us to embrace the digital space and launch an online selling platform,” he explains.
“The new site now opens up our entire range of products to our customers while still utilising the superb service of our franchisees who still make the deliveries free of charge to the workplace. The end result is better service for our customers and more opportunities for our franchisees to grow their business.”
Books & Gifts Direct’s products have always been sold exclusively through its network of franchisees and consumers have only been able to access the products on display in their workplaces, which are on a fortnightly rotation with orders filled every two weeks, Craven explains.
“The new online store now gives customers an extensive catalogue of more than 1,000 products including a range of children’s books, cookbooks, health and lifestyle books, toys, games, homewares and special gifts which they can purchase at greatly discounted prices and have delivered directly to their workplace, free of charge.
“The platform is user-friendly ensuring the order process is simple and efficient for our customers and partners. The goal is to offer a more personalised and accessible shopping experience for our customers with enhanced search and navigation functionality.”
Craven adds that by buying Books & Gifts Direct products customers also support their community, as the company donates five cents from each product sold to charities such as the McGrath Foundation, Princess Margaret Hospital (Perth) and the Starship Children’s Hospital in New Zealand.
“Over the past two years, we have donated more than $250,000 to local charities.”
By Marion Gerritsen
