Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Housewares distributor Hot Plate Products has launched a new website to support independent retailers.
Hot Plate Products is the exclusive UK distributor for Barista & Co, Bialetti, Fusionbrands, Universal Expert and Bloom 
and its online platform showcases collections from each brand. The site will launch with a series of promotional offers and incentives for customers who place an order online. There is no minimum order quantity during the launch period, enabling retailers to try out new product lines in store.
www.hotplateproducts.com also offers a number of features including ‘on demand’ expert advice (an online chat facility that provides direct access to customer service advisors), a range of live promotions, and next day delivery options (if an order is placed before 1pm), plus in-depth product details and ‘how to’ guides explaining the features and benefits of each brand.
Hot Plate Products managing director James Gray said: “The retail environment is changing. Retailers need suppliers who are responsive and proactive, and can quickly adapt to the marketplace. As suppliers, it’s our job to respond to the needs of our independent customers and increase our service levels – which is what we’re aiming to achieve with the launch of our interactive new website.”
The company has also introduced a sampling and video conferencing range selection service, enabling retailers to bring new product lines to market quicker than before.James Gray commented: “We will continue to offer our traditional approach of sales agents on the ground but we’re supplementing that with a new service that sees us utilise modern technology such as video conferencing to better service our independent customers. Samples will be sent direct head office with a video conference call arranged with our in-house sales team, to speed up the process and ensure exciting new products are on the shelves – not sat in the warehouse.”
