How Majestic Wine joins up online and offline channels
We take a look at the ways Majestic Wine is implementing its multichannel retail strategy.
We take a look at the ways Majestic Wine is implementing its multichannel retail strategy.
Following the acquisition of Naked Wines last year, Majestic Wines has been transforming itself into a true multichannel retailer.
According to Naked Wines (and now Majestic CEO) Rowan Gormley:
Someone is going to reinvent wine retail in a mobile age – we’d like that to be us.
Following his appointment as Majestic Wine CEO, Rowan Gormley has announced ambitious plans to use the store network alongside the brand’s online presence to provide a multichannel customer experience.
Benjy Meyer, Head of Digital Customer at Majestic Wine will be speaking at our Shift event in London, looking at connecting the dots between mobile, customer experience and ROI.
In advance of this, here’s a few areas where Majestic is joining up online and offline channels.
One of the first things Majestic has done is to merge multiple data sources to gain a ‘single view’ of the customer.
In plain English, the company can see online and offline purchases made by customers, which enables them to learn more about purchase behaviour, and to tailor its marketing accordingly.
For example, I receive emails from my local Majestic, advising me of in-store tastings and other offers and events.
It also knows my purchase history, and my weakness for Cotes du Rhone, so that’s what it tempts me with:
On the website, my purchase history is also used effectively. For example, it recommends some of my favourite bottles to tempt me as I add items to my trolley. Its a simple but very smart use of data.
One of the major advantages Majestic has over other retailers is its store network, and the company aims to make the best use of this by linking it closely with its online channels.
The key here is to ensure that stores and online channels are working together, rather than competing for sales. An effective multichannel strategy is about combining the best features of individual channels to produce a better customer experience.
For Majestic, its 212 stores have a major role to play here. The in-store experience is a big plus. It’s not just about popping a few bottles of wine into a trolley as you might do at Tesco. Instead, customers are encouraged to spend time in store. There are wines to taste, and knowledgable staff if you need advice.
The myMajestic app was launched last year, and provides a place for customers to keep a note on past purchases, favourite wines, notes etc.
It’s great for customer retention and the ability to link in-store shopping history to display in the app is very useful.
The website works with the stores by highlighting the events taking place.
Local stores are showcased on site, and events and tastings in store are highlighted. For example, I can see which wines are being tasted in my local store today.
There are also staff profiles, which brief bios on each staff member.
In addition to useful features like showing online and in-store order history (great when you can’t remember the name of a bottle you liked), selecting a store online allows you to search that store’s stock and see things like bin-end offers available locally.
Each store has its own Twitter account so it can appeal to local followers and keep them informed. It’s a great way to add some personality to what would otherwise just be a national store network.
Ready for tonight’s gin tasting. Join us from 6pm to learn about the wonderful world of gin pic.twitter.com/xCPYDRHdoB
— Majestic Darlington (@majesticdar) April 8, 2016
Naturally, click and collect features strongly. It’s featured prominently on site, it’s free and easy to use.
Crucially, it encourages that relationship between customer, website and store. Naturally, many customers will end up buying more when they head into stores to collect their orders.
Majestic’s multichannel strategy is still a work in progress but the company has the right idea.
It can see the value of customer experience in today’s marketplace and is using its strengths to deliver this whatever channels customers choose, or if they choose to use them all.
An effective multichannel strategy is about using the advantages of each channel to provide the best possible customer experience.
You can hear from Majestic Wine, as well as speakers from Airbnb, GDS, Nissan and more, at our Shift conference in London on 24-25 May.