Household goods retailer Butlers is set to launch a new UK-based website in the early stages of 2012, Retail Gazette understands.
The imminent unveiling of a new e-commerce platform for British shoppers is part of a wider European expansion strategy being followed by the company, which is headquartered in Germany.
Earlier this year, the retailer signed up software solutions provider Demandware to replace its previous online system, and in September it launched its new look websites for the German and Austrian markets.
This e-commerce investment marks just the start of the firm‘s planned multichannel development as it looks to grow its presence across the continent.
A spokesperson for Butlers told this publication: “Now, we run an online shop for Germany and Austria.
“But we are planning to launch an online shop for the UK as well. This will probably happen in the first half year of 2012.”
Butlers currently has four stores in the UK, including two in north London, and a total of 150 across Europe.
Since partnering with Demandware the retailer has made several enhancements to meet the needs of the modern shopper, with shop assistants now able use quick-order system to ensure out-of-stock products can be delivered to customers‘ homes at a later date.
Jörg Arndt, Managing Director at Butlers, said: “Our top priority is to provide our customers with a great shopping experience.
“With the launch of our new e-commerce sites in Germany and Austria, our goal is to improve performance and scalability so that we can make our online shops faster, more efficient and user friendly. The Demandware implementation has been excellent so far.”
