Business booming from new Traidcraft web store

  • Web site fully integrated with Maginus multichannel business system

Manchester, December 15, 2004 – Traidcraft, the largest supplier of fair trade products in the UK, has gone live with a new web site fully integrated to their Maginus multichannel business system. The trading company, Traidcraft plc, sources its products from community-based businesses in the developing world, paying a fair price to the producers and distributing the products in the UK. The goods are sold via a network of 4,500 volunteer agents (fair traders), supermarkets and independent retailers, a mail order catalogue and now a web store. At the same time the charity, Traidcraft Exchange, supports producers with business development and market access assistance, and lobbies to influence international trade policy and regulation.

The first phase of the new Traidcraft web site went live in August 2004. The site is a key element in a strategy to build a true multi-channel business. Ease of use and high performance were the key design requirements. Lesley Heeley, IT Manager at Traidcraft said: “It was important for us that we had a single system controlling our multi-channel business. Our Maginus CRM and supply chain system went live six months ago, and the new web site is the next step. The project has been a success. We’ve had very positive feedback from our customers and we’re already taking more web orders than we initially forecast.”

In the first month of operation the new site has delivered efficiency improvements by reducing the order processing workload in the customer service department. Geraldine Smith, Manager of the Customer Service Department said: “The new site has made a positive impact on the service levels we deliver to our customers. The next phase will see improved ordering facilities, particularly for our Fair Traders.” The site has also helped the work of the charity by speeding accounting processes and improving the integration of data with the trading company.

The site has been produced jointly between Maginus Software Solutions Ltd and their business partners Enzyme Design Ltd. Enzyme are a specialist web design agency, who have recently entered into a supplier agreement with Maginus. Enzyme bring considerable web design skills particularly in the areas of usability, customer shopping experience and online branding.  

About Traidcraft:
Traidcraft is the UK's leading fair trade organisation, helping hardworking producers from poor communities around the world work their way out of poverty. Sometimes it's by trading with them directly, sometimes by supporting them with training and information, and sometimes it's by influencing the policy makers to pull down the barriers which stop the poor enjoying their fair share of world trade. For more information contact Peter Collins or Fiona Thomson on 0191 4976462 or email media@traidcraft.co.uk

About Maginus:
Maginus solutions enable retail and distribution companies to drive revenue and increase customer satisfaction by providing comprehensive control over multi-channel selling and fulfillment. The company’s integrated suite of powerful CRM, Financials and Supply Chain software helps organisations to market, sell and deliver the products their customers want via a broad range of channels including catalogue and mail order, telesales, the Web, trade counter and store operations. Originally founded in 1972, Maginus brings over 30 years’ of in-depth customer experience to the retail and distribution sector and, with its innovative 6xa technology, is one of the only vendors to bridge the gap between package and bespoke enterprise software solutions. Find out more about the company at www.maginus.com

For more information, please contact:
Janice Mawhinney
Marketing Executive
Maginus Software Solutions
Tel: 0161 946 3816
janice.mawhinney@maginus.com

Cheryl Billson
IBA, PR for Maginus
Tel: 01780 721433
cbillson@iba-europe.com

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