With its new app aimed at retailers, Bestway Batleys has managed to harness the positive impact that apps have on consumers into a business app that makes the ordering process so much simpler for its retail customers.
It’s not just shoppers who can benefit from technology. With the launch of its own app last autumn, Bestway Wholesale had an ambitious goal of ‘revolutionising the retail experience’ for Bestway Batleys cash and carry customers.
Following the launch of the app in September on Apple’s iOS platform, an Android version was launched in December, making it available on the vast majority of smartphones and tablets. By the end of the year well over 4,000 users had downloaded it from the Apple Store alone.
The app may not have the addiction levels of Angry Birds, but it has proven in its short life to be an invaluable tool for retailers. The app incorporates a huge number of features, including detailed product information and price updates on up to 20,000 products; the ability to list and access favourite products; the use of a barcode scanner to enable quick processing of large orders; and a fantastic voice to text memo function. The app also changes purchasing patterns for customers and, most importantly, will offer customers even more choice and convenience in how they shop.
Other features include updates on deals, offers and multi-buy purchases, access to previous order history and detailed information about specific products.
Customers will also be able to locate their nearest depot at the touch of a button, and plot a route with an estimated arrival time or book a delivery to their business.
In short, it manages pretty much every aspect of the buying journey.
Dawood Pervez, Marketing Director of Bestway Wholesale, explains “Digital is one of the growth pillars for the Bestway Group as we strive to further engage customers with our business and ensure Bestway Batleys adapts and leads as technology, and our industry, continues to evolve. Online sales through the group’s transactional websites (bestway.co.uk and batleys.co.uk) are showing double digit growth, of which 15% comes from new business, demonstrating that customers are now confident in using our online channels to purchase. The new app simplifies and enhances our web proposition and offers even more features in the palm of your hand.”
“The response to the new Bestway app has been extremely encouraging from customers” says Mohammed Jamil, Digital Controller at the Bestway Group. “We have had thousands of downloads and 5 star reviews across the board from customers who appreciate its simplicity and functionality. Bestway customers are extremely busy so the app helps them create more time to spend on their business by speeding up the selection and buying process. They have also told us that they love the flexibility of being able to click and collect or get delivery to store. The launch of the Android version will mean that more customers will now be able to shop with Bestway or Batleys wherever they are and whenever they need to.”
Salih Sheikh, Marketing Manager continues: “Our marketing is all about engaging with customers on a personal level and ensuring that we meet and exceed their expectations whether in depot, in store or online. The Bestway app is without a doubt sector leading – in fact I believe it is industry-leading. Bestway is now leading the field in customer service and technology and is the only wholesaler who has a fully functional omni-channel approach to marketing. We’ve ensured that our customers can use any channel at any stage of the decision-making process, giving them all the information they need whenever they need it.”
