Launching a new website couldn’t have come at a better time for Finmark, as more and more people are moving online due to Covid-19.
Scheduled for launch later this month, Finmark’s sales manager, Inga Carlmark, says the new website is all about making it easier for businesses to browse and shop online.
“Our website has always been an important channel for us to communicate with our customers, so we have been working really hard behind the scenes to make the website better than ever and we are really excited and proud with the end result,” she explains.
“We have simplified the product categories and minimalised the data and content on each page, making it easy to look through the website and find one of the many products available. Having said that, we have increased the amount of information for each individual product so that customers will have all the answers they need right at their fingertips.”
With the company based in Adelaide, the website has always been a vital communication tool to reach customers Australia wide, however, with no sales reps on the road it became even more important.
“Shopping online already provided customers with the flexibility to shop at any time, but with the challenges many businesses faced this year it was more important than ever to have a strong online presence to show that Finmark was open and here if they needed us.
“Without representatives on the road, Finmark relies on a strong and clear website. Our valued customer service is offered through the website, gift fairs and personal customers service, all of which we’re very proud of.”
Finmark is also introducing a new gift wrapping service in July, which according to Carlmark is one of the most exciting new components of the website.
“Based on market research, we noticed a large increase in the service industry and the outsourcing of many roles. We were also receiving many requests from organisations needing gifts wrapped but not having the time to do it themselves.
“With Finmark importing premium gift wrappings and ribbons it seemed only fitting for us to offer gift wrapping as a service, as well as a product. Should customers or businesses need items wrapped in bulk we are here to help.
“Within a few clicks on our website, customers will be able to select the number of parcels needed to be wrapped. This is a great avenue for wedding bonbonniere gifts, for corporate gift wrapping or for thank you gifts for businesses to have ready and waiting.
“The last few years we’ve seen a real interest in more businesses wanting to gift wrap. It was once seen as a luxury many years ago but today it’s being viewed as a necessity. Businesses are now using gift wrapping to stand out from the crowd, have a point of difference and encourage repeat business. There are so many options and ways to gift wrap and we love working together with our customers to find the right solution for them.”
Finmark has always been focused on sustainability and in recent years there has been a huge shift in people’s awareness for sustainable products.
Importing from Sweden and Italy, we are lucky that they are miles ahead in their considerations for the environment, says Carlmark.
“There are many certifications that our products carry. All of our counter rolls are made with water based ink from sustainable forests and the paper is recyclable. You can even trace the counter roll of paper you buy from Finmark back to the forest from which it grew.”
However, Covid-19 has disrupted the market significantly and Carlmark says she has no idea if life will go back to normal.
“This is the question being asked by many wholesalers in the industry. There are different opinions and comments each way you look. I feel the repercussions of the pandemic will be going on for months and years to come yet.
“The positive has been shops reopening again and an increase in consumers purchasing from Australian businesses either online or instore. Hopefully this mindset stays as part of the ‘new normal’.
“If we base the future on what has been happening in the past few months, I believe we will see a shift in consumers wanting to purchase locally and sustainably. Consumers want to do the right thing so retailers have a huge opportunity to source products with eco-friendly standards and promote them as a part of their business.”
Time will tell but for now, Finmark is happy to look forward with its new Christmas counter rolls and ribbons arriving next month, plus new ranges in pens and gift tags arriving in time for the gift fairs.
