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Hamilton Launches Online Marketplace Website By the Hamilton Central Business Association Consumers want to purchase locally-made goods and support local businesses, and they are doing more and more product research online and on-the-go before stepping in store to purchase. These are two trends that the Hamilton CBD is taking advantage of with the launch and growth of the new Hamilton Central online marketplace website, says Sandy Turner, General Manager of the Hamilton Central Business Association (HCBA). Hamilton's 'online CBD' is the first of its kind in New Zealand, provided by ecommerce company Storbie. A common perception is that online is just a sales channel that detracts from brick-and-mortar sales, however research shows that digital interactions in fact have a huge influence on in store sales (called web-influenced sales) and buying behaviour. A recent study by Roy Morgan Research published on ecommerce.org.nz stated that just under half (49.3%) of New Zealanders aged 14+ (1.8 million of us) bought at least one product over the internet in the previous four weeks. The article also stated “Also, the internet isn’t just a sales channel; it’s often the way we do a bit of pre-purchase planning via computer, mobile or tablet instead of visiting stores. Almost half of Kiwis agree they research products or services online before buying in-store, and almost 1 in 3 did product research online within the last four weeks.” Paul Manning, Managing Director of .99, a retail specialist advertising agency has this to say about the influence of digital: "Even in today's hyper-connected digital world, ecommerce still contributes less than 8% of retail sales across Australasia. That said, the influence of digital is skyrocketing. Research suggests around half of retail sales are influenced by digital and that trend is expected to continue. No longer simply looking to the web to take away the inconvenience of physical transactions, consumers are discovering new products, researching them, and making purchase decisions before they walk into the store". Further research backs this up. Data published by Google shows that the internet was used in 53% of recent purchase journeys in New Zealand leading to either an online or offline purchase. The most common activities by Kiwis are gathering information on pricing, promotions, and product availability. Research from Deloitte shows that 72% of Australian shoppers already know what they want to buy before they go into a shop. Consumers are making buying decisions at other points in the shopping journey, where they find ideas and inspiration, research product information, validate performance through reviews, and even make purchases online to pick up in store. The takeaway from all of this? Deloitte puts it nicely — what’s really important to recognise isn’t so much the dominance of digital, it’s how online and offline channels work together. HCBA is poised to help Hamilton CBD businesses take full advantage of the habits of digitally-connected consumers by featuring their business and products in the new marketplace website. "Online channels have become mainstream for not only the next generation of shoppers, but those aged 40+ too, so supporting Hamilton Central businesses in their online marketing efforts is crucial". "We want to encourage members to not only have a brochure website, but also an online store with their product catalogue so consumers can research and browse online, anywhere and at any time, and then head in store to purchase". "Online shopping is here to stay. So are the big overseas brands. We won't see that slow down until the GST laws come in to effect. But buying online from a local business means consumers can trust there is a brick-and-mortar store they can go to when they want or need". 'Something unique on every street' is the message that HCBA wants to get across in their efforts to inform people what Hamilton has to offer. "The business directory pages on our website were getting the most visits each month and the stats showed such a huge number of people were browsing on a mobile device, but our website was not mobile-friendly so it was vital to change that. Now that we have launched the new mobile-friendly website with ecommerce capability, we're now focusing on making sure all CBD businesses get the most out of it". "It's so important to support in store sales with online, something we're educating members about and encouraging them to pursue". "As more businesses add their products to the marketplace, it becomes a hub of information about the local products that are on offer in the Hamilton CBD. The new website is a tool that supports our overall CBD revitalisation strategy". Far from just a channel that inhibits brick-and-mortar sales, being online is about understanding the customer buying process and enabling interactions that in fact encourage and drive in store visits. For more information see the Hamilton Central website at www.hamiltoncentral.co.nz ABOUT HAMILTON CENTRAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION: The purpose of the Hamilton Central Business Association (HCBA) is to revitalise, support and promote the Hamilton CBD. HCBA is Hamilton Central’s advocate, acting as a conduit between businesses, the community and local authorities. Part of the current revitalisation strategy includes developing a thriving online marketplace that showcases the unique local products available in the CBD and drives in store visits and sales. HCBA is a pioneer in this space, and has just launched New Zealand's first 'online CBD' on the Storbie platform. For more information please contact Sandy Turner, 027 230 3198, sandy.turner@ hamiltoncentral.co.nz ABOUT STORBIE: Storbie is an ecommerce provider, facilitating over a quarter of a million visits across websites and millions of dollars of transactions. The intrinsic connections between Storbie online stores allows business listings, products and services to surface together in a central marketplace. For more information please contact Shane Bartle, 021 662 750, shane@storbie.com 22 : BIZ HAMILTON : ISSUE 1
By Val Hayes of the EMA If you are looking for an edge over the competition, wanting to update a tired look or create something that will hit the mark, give ZOOM a call today. ZOOM! YOUR DIGITAL PRINT & DESIGN SHOP We have a brilliant design team who will help create your image at a very competitive price. OTHER PRODUCTS WE PROVIDE FLYERS | POST CARDS | LETTERHEADS POSTERS & BANNERS | CORFLUTES & PLANS ENVELOPES | DECALS | PADS | DOCKET BOOKS PRESENTATION FOLDERS | MAORI/ENGLISH DIARIES 33 King St, Frankton, Hamilton | speedy@24zoom.co.nz 0800 24 ZOOM | 24ZOOM.CO.NZ Outstanding Finalists In Export Awards An outstanding cross-section of New Zealand companies have made it through as finalists in the 2016 Air New Zealand Cargo ExportNZ Awards for Waikato. From household names to start-up businesses, judges have been impressed with the calibre of entries received this year, especially as this is the first time the awards have been opened up to Waikato enterprises. Overall, there are 25 finalists in seven categories. “I’m delighted with the diverse range of finalists we have in this year’s awards. We have a mix of service industries and manufacturers. These awards are designed to give recognition to our exporting community, and acknowledge the hard yards they have put in to help transform our economy. This year’s awards will showcase a cross-section of some of our most ingenious and innovative businesses,” says Catherine Lye, ExportNZ Manager Auckland, Waikato & Bay of Plenty. Exports account for 29% of New Zealand’s GDP (NZ$69.3 billion). ExportNZ Auckland and Waikato are divisions of the Employers and Manufacturers Association. The 2016 awards will be presented at a black-tie gala dinner on Thursday, June 23 at The Langham Hotel, Auckland. 2016 Waikato finalists for the ExportNZ Awards: AWARD CATEGORY 1: C EXPORTER OF THE YEAR (EXPORT REVENUE OVER $25 MILLION)- GALLAGHER GROUP LTD are renowned for innovation and marketing of animal management, security, fuel systems and contract managing solutions; HOBBITON MOVIE SET TOURS provides a fascinating two hour guided tour of the set used for filming The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies which has experienced spectacular growth in visitor number in the past five years. AWARD CATEGORY 2: EXPORTER OF THE YEAR (EXPORT REVENUE $10 MILLION - $25 MILLION)- BBC TECHNOLOGIES are developers and manufacturers of advanced fruit and vegetable processing equipment, specialising in small, delicate commodities such as berries; WAIKATO MILKING SYSTEMS is a New Zealand success story. Founded in the Waikato in 1967, the company is today one of the leading designers and manufacturers of dairy systems in the world. AWARD CATEGORY 5: EMERGING EXPORTER OF THE YEAR- ZEALONG TEA ESTATE LTD produces organically certified tea which is handpicked from New Zealand’s only commercial tea estate. AWARD CATEGORY 6: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY BEST USE OF COMMERCIALISATION OF INNOVATION FOR EXPORT- BBC TECHNOLOGIES are developers and manufacturers of advanced fruit and vegetable processing equipment, specialising in small, delicate commodities such as berries; QUANTEC LTD is a biotechnology business focused on capturing value from dairy, through innovation business activities in animal and human health. ISSUE 1 : BIZ HAMILTON : 23
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