The online store, which stocks items from the buying group’s “Priority” (top) suppliers, is said to provide an additional marketing channel for retail members without any extra time or resources.
The showroom will be incorporated into a new website template for members that Nationwide expects to launch over the next few weeks.
What this means for retailers is that customers who visit the website can effectively browse and purchase from the Nationwide online store as though it were their own catalogue.
Nationwide managing director Colin Pocklington said that members would receive the retail margin on all jewellery pieces sold through members’ sites and Nationwide would fulfil orders on their behalf.
Pocklington explained the online store would be an exact duplicate of the one on the group’s master site.
“So all of the stock on this site is chosen by us and managed by us, which takes away the maintenance problem for members,” he said.
Each site will also have a “Design Gallery” tab, allowing members to feature their own items. This will be for display purposes only, however, as customers will be unable to purchase those pieces online.
Another feature includes a “brand” page, which will be updated automatically by the buying group. Each members’ website will have a tailored “brand” page that features only the jewellery brands carried by that retailer.
According to Pocklington, the new member sites are completely optional. He said a number of its members would replace their own stand-alone sites with Nationwide’s new offering, while some would choose to operate both an existing and new one or simply stick to using their current site.
The member sites are part of a larger website and digital media strategy for Nationwide, that also includes an overhaul of its main website – which went live last week.
“Finishing the master site was a precursor to completing member websites, as much of the information (e.g., brand pages) is drawn from the master site,” he said.
“Once again, this means that when we update or change brand pages, these changes are automatically reflected in all member sites, without them having to do anything.”
Pocklington explained that involvement was optional for its suppliers, but Nationwide chose only those that were able to supply items quickly.
“Some suppliers make goods to order, which does not suit internet selling because of the long delivery time,” he said.
The new websites will be showcased and further explained at the Nationwide annual conference, held on the Gold Coast in early May.