In our blog article, Will Print Ecommerce Be The New ‘Normal’ After Lockdown?, we discussed how print eCommerce had changed to meet the increasing demands of customers to shop online during lockdown and whether this trend was likely to continue post lockdown.
What Is Happening In The Wider Economy?
In the Office for National Statistics most recent Labour Market Overview Report they say “Early indicators for July 2020 suggest that the number of employees in the UK on payrolls is down around 730,000 compared with March 2020.”
The report goes on to say “The decrease in employment on the quarter was the largest quarterly decrease since May to July 2009.” Whilst there is much media speculation as to the UK economy at this time it is clear to see that Covid-19 is having a strong and visible effect on the UK economy and indeed the international economy.
What Is Happening In Ecommerce?
In the UK internet sales as a percentage of retail sales have grown approximately 10% since the start of lockdown, now totalling around 28% of all retail sales. (ONS, Internet sales as a percentage of total retail sales (ratio) (%))
Put simply – just under 1 in 3 sales is made on online. If you don’t have a usable, functional, positive online presence then you could be isolating up to a third of your potential market.
What Does This Mean For The Print Industry?
Whilst many of your customers are seeing a change in expectations from their customers as to what they can offer online, they may well expect the same from you.
If you don’t have a digital store front a lot of that the custom that you are used to dealing with in person, over the phone, or via email is likely to convert to a business that allows them to easily make a purchase online.
How Will A Web To Print Ecommerce Store Help Me?
As well as offering a digital store front, web to print software offers additional benefits to printers. From digital price estimating software for use by the customer or the printer themselves, to online printer management tools that will help you manage your orders quickly and easily, there are numerous benefits to engaging with a web to print system.
Integrations with existing software, such as your accounts package, Management Information System, courier software, and more – save printers time and improve accuracy by negating the need for double entry of information.
Flex4 OPS
The Online Print Solution – the OPS – has been developed by Flex4 and is based on over 10 years’ experience in designing, developing and supporting web to print solutions and services for print businesses in both the UK and overseas.
Flex4 have an experienced eCommerce team with skills and experience in business development, marketing, project management, software development, website management, and digital marketing.
Our objective is to help your business to both grow print revenues and reduce administration costs for a better margin and a more efficient process.