Electronics

We have accelerated the development of our electronics offer which has been significantly enhanced during the year. We successfully launched our electronics production packaging capability across the UK, Continental Europe and Asia Pacific. This is aimed at customers with small batch production needs, allowing them to order the quantity that they need in tubes, trays and continuous strips. The range now totals 50,000 products.

The electronics product offer has been expanded; we have introduced 10,000 new products from leading suppliers during the year. Further product launches from leading electronics suppliers are planned for the next financial year across the UK, Continental Europe and Asia Pacific.

A number of actions have been taken to more competitively position our electronics offer with a significant number of electronics product prices being reduced during the year.

The electronics team has been expanded in order to drive the electronics strategy globally with a consistent and focused approach supported by our strategic suppliers.

Maintenance

We continue to improve our offer to maintenance engineers. This includes more targeted and effective promotion of specific ranges, supported by strategic suppliers with combined web activity, joint sales visits and customer referrals.

We have strengthened our strategic supplier relationships via the Group’s global sourcing capability, providing our customers with improved product ranges and joint e‑Commerce offers. Our own brand range has been expanded and its sales have outperformed the market.

e‑Commerce

We have significant e‑Commerce capability with a single web site platform supporting our UK, Continental Europe and Asia Pacific businesses. This provides real time links to transactional systems allowing our customers to experience on‑line stock visibility and weekly content updates.

We have enhanced the Group’s e‑Commerce offer and made a step change towards becoming an e‑centric business. Underlying e‑Commerce revenue increased by 10% in the year, exiting at around a 40% share of Group revenue. In North America e‑Commerce revenue grew by around 45%.

Improved search and browse capability was introduced across the UK and Continental Europe leading to a 60% increase in customer search‑to‑order conversion. Cross selling programmes, including “new accessory” and “customer also viewed” links as well as the availability of own brand alternatives, have increased average order value. The website is now available to mobile phone users in the UK, Continental Europe, North America and Asia Pacific: a first for a high service distributor.