Are you struggling with branded merchandise? Then check these seven signs to determine if an online company store is right for your organization.
1. Your Marketing Department has turned into a mini fulfillment operation.
Do you have closets packed with swag? Do you receive emails and phone calls from teammates who need swag? Are you packing and sending out items yourself?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then it is probably time to consider setting up an online company store for your organization. This will allow you to get back to working on more important tasks while providing controlled and simplified access to branded materials throughout your company.
2. You have lots of branded merchandise on-hand, but you’re not sure where it is, what quantities you have and the total value of what you have.
If any of this is true, it is probably time for a professional fulfillment center to help you keep tabs on exactly what you have by offering real-time inventory visibility.
3. You have lots of interest and demand for employees, but you just don’t have the time to order and send them what they need.
If this is true then you are missing out on opportunities to foster greater brand awareness.
4. You have locations and departments ordering from numerous vendors.
Are you locations ordering merchandise from their local vendors? If so, this means you have little control over item selection, quality, branding, embroidery files and logo use. Most likely, your brand is being abused. An online company store allows you to reign in rouge spend by allowing easy access to corporate approved items.
See Also: Eliminate Brand Abuse with an Online Company Store
5. It is difficult to account for spending.
Are you able to account for spending by location, GL, cost code or however your company typically tracks spend? Unless you have an online company store with customized reporting, this process is most likely quite difficult for you.
6. Ordering for locations and departments is just too much of a hassle.
Dealing with samples, artwork, proofs, etc. can be quite a hassle for departments and locations that only place a few orders a year. Many times, individuals will just decide it’s not worth it or simply do not have the time to deal with all of the details. Having an online store with pre-approved items greatly simplifies the ordering process. This saves your company valuable time and provides for greater brand exposure by increasing participation in branded merchandise marketing efforts.
7. You are not engaging your employees
Do you offer new hire packages? Gift codes for rewards? Do you have an anniversary gift program? If not then you could be utilizing your online company store to engage and delight your employees.
See Also: Point Stores Drive Employee Engagement
Many marketers think that online company stores are only for the Fortune 100. But many fast growing startups and mid-size companies are beginning to understand the benefits of having better systems in place around branded merchandise. From better accounting, better reporting, same day shipping and increased brand exposure, there is a long list of benefits to having an online company store.
Setting up a store is easier than you think. Contact our team today and we will further explain the process and discuss how we can have you up and running with a new online company store that meets all of your business requirements.
