Hifi Corporation, SA's leading Audio-Visual goods retailer awards it's E-Commerce contract to VST, a Softline group company.
HifiCorp has entered into a three-year contract with retail technology provider VST, a Softline company, for the supply of E-Commerce products and services that will enable HifiCorp to trade online as www.hificorp.com.
This follows on from the contract signed last year whereby Virtual Systems Technologies (VST) provides HifiCorp with all its existing retailing software and service requirements. The solution provided by VST cost-effectively supports every aspect of Hi-Fi Corporation's business, from point-of-sale using the VST-Point-of Sale product (one of the pre-eminent POS solutions with over 10 000 lanes in big-name South African stores such as Pep, Morestores, Cape Union Mart, Smiley's Warehouse and more), through to the head office retail management systems using VST-Retail and Accpac financials.
The E-Commerce solution provided to HifiCorp is fully integrated with the operational systems, enabling HifiCorp to be a classic "click and mortar" retailer. "The beauty of this solution is that we do not have to run two parallel businesses," says David Hoffman, Marketing Director of HifiCorp. "We have a seamlessly integrated solution which enables us to manage our online store exactly like one of our existing stores. We will integrate the E-Commerce aspect in all of our future advertising, and we will also institute additional methods of targeting and attracting online customers."
In terms of the agreement, VST will provide the IT infrastructure, the E-Commerce software, as well as administration services to HifiCorp. Where necessary, VST will draw upon the expertise of both OpenSoft, and PlanetPastel, two Softline group companies currently involved in E-Commerce.
"We believe that www.hificorp.com can be one of South Africa's most successful E-Commerce sites," says Davy Rosen, Managing Director of VST. "HifiCorp is a reputable and recognised brand in South Africa, and consumers will be willing to place their trust in them for their online purchases. Our VST-VirtualStore product which is a part of our retailing suite will be tailored where necessary to satisfy HifiCorp's specific requirements."
HifiCorp has 11 stores countrywide and one of the advantages of the E-Commerce venture will be the extended reach to consumers outside of major centres. All products sold will carry the same guarantees offered by existing HifiCorp stores.
HifiCorp's highly competitive pricing will be carried through to the E-Commerce store. With a huge inventory of products in its stores, HifiCorp will offer the widest range of audio-visual and other electronic equipment online in South Africa.
VST has been implementing leading-edge, robust IT solutions at a number of leading retailers over the last 10 years including more recent implementations at CNA, Morkels, Sportsmans Warehouse, Pep Stores, Totalsports and Smileys Warehouse.
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