German-based Hermes has set up a full-service webshop for the US furniture and home accessoryretailer Bombay Company to enable it to sell its products nationwide and internationally.
The webshop was developed and implemented within six months by Hermes Nextec which isspecialised in web shop solutions for e-commerce companies.
Bombay, which was founded in 1978 and relaunched in 2010, offers its customers worldwideclassic style furniture and gifts. It is now offering about 300 items including beds, chests andaccessories through the new webshop which is its initial move into online sales.
While Hermes NexTec is responsible for setting up, operating and developing the webshop, itsparent company Hermes Fulfilment provides the back-end processes such as warehousing, payment anddebtor management, and customer service. Warehousing and logistics in the US are handled by KencoLogistics.
“With Hermes, we have found the right e-commerce partner. This group offers a wide range ofresources that ensure reliable service and delivery of products along the entire supply chain,”explained Wil Hollands, who is heading up the Bombay brand. Up to this point, Bombay wasexclusively sold through retailers, such as Bed, Bath & Beyond, Burlington Coat Factory, QVCand others. “The new online presence provides customers the chance to shop for their favouriteitems 24/7 via the web,” Hollands added.
Holger Lender, CEO at Hermes NexTec, commented: “We are fully committed to drive brand growthfor Bombay in this highly competitive B2C environment. As a supply chain service provider to theretail industry, we bring in a long-standing experience in the fast growing fashion and lifestylee-commerce business.”
Lender highlighted the importance of local requirements in the US market such as theheterogeneous US tax laws. “In the USA, every state has an individual VAT rate which needs to bespecified accordingly in the customer shopping basket. We have mastered this challenge byconnecting a special tax engine to our highly flexible shop software.”
As part of the full-service offering, Hermes NexTec also helps marketing the online shop inclose cooperation with Bombay. The marketing mix includes on-site measures such as announcing andbidding new products but also online, e-mail and social media marketing as well as classic offlinemarketing.
Hermes Nextec and Hermes Fulfilment act as international full-service providers for customersin the distance selling and e-commerce industry. Hermes NexTex places its focus on the front-end offashion & lifestyle online shops while Hermes Fulfilment is specialised in back-end processes.
