Menarys, a Northern Irish department store, witnessed a 445% increase in online sales revenue this Black Friday – 24th November 2018 – compared to the same one-day sale period last year.
Success this year has been the result of enhancing the website and in-store technology. This includes improvements to UX design and mobile-friendliness, alongside a multichannel strategy and a clever distribution model, to deliver a seamless shopping experience across the board.
Stephen McCammon, Managing Director from Menarys, said:
“As a multichannel retailer we are delighted with our exceptional Black Friday results. Our commitment to both eCommerce and traditional retail is highlighted in our continued online growth and investment in the high street, with two new recent store openings in Enniskillen and Ballymena.
“Prior to 2016, our website did not support the ability to purchase products online, but we recognised the need for an effective eCommerce solution, and initially introduced a wedding service gift list where customers could purchase wedding gifts on the website. Due to its success, we later made online purchasing available to all customers offering an extensive range of clothing, beauty and home & living products.
“Our website now showcases exclusive online deals that are not available instore. Online shoppers can also benefit from features such as the wedding gift list service, Click & Collect available from several stores and free home delivery on all orders over £50.
“The significant increase in our online sales revenue over the entire month of November, including Black Friday, is evidence that the approach taken and has been extremely successful.”
The company launched its eCommerce website with Belfast-based web-solutions provider Flint Studios in January 2016, in a bid to increase the volume of customers purchasing products online.
Jeremy Biggerstaff, Managing Director at Flint Studios, said:
“The increase in online sales revenue experienced by Menarys on Black Friday is further evidence of a shift in consumer shopping habits, and I believe we will continue to see retailers from all industries placing further emphasis on their eCommerce site in order to offer a multichannel experience to their customers.”
With a team of over 30 skilled, technical, creative and digital specialists, Flint Studios specialises in user experience, systems integration and measurement, delivering results-driven solutions for a varied client base.
Across Flint Studios client base, online sales over Black Friday increased by 149% on average.
Jeremy continued:
“At Flint Studios, we continually go above and beyond for our clients, learning and adapting to new technologies to ensure an unbeatable service.
“The ability to offer Magento, Kentico, Umbraco, and bespoke solutions backed up with our Google Partner accreditation ensures that our clients maintain a completive edge within their own industries.
“This has been an incredibly successful month for Menarys and we look forward to continuing to work with them.”