19 December 2005
Photomart International has launched a new and unique concept for wholesale distribution to the photo and imaging industry, setting in place an approach likely to immeasurably enhance the working practices of its extensive customer base, it says.
Whilst many in the industry are aware that Photomart recently moved to new warehousing in the heart of London, what is only now being revealed is that more than simply a warehouse and distribution centre, the new premises represents a radical new approach to wholesale supply for the photographic, digital imaging and electronic sectors.
In addition to providing Photomart with vast storage capacity for the thousands of lines which the company distributes via its renowned same- and next-day delivery service, the new site has several layers of direct customer service.
A massive showroom houses the largest display of product in the UK, with each category shown in depth, eg: 70 different types and sizes of tripods and equipment support, 30 different digital printers, 20 models of scanners, 15 makes of professional cameras and 40 consumer digital cameras. There are 10 complete studio lighting systems, 10 varieties of minilabs, and many more items in similar degrees of comprehensive choice.
Customers can visit the showroom, relax with some refreshment, and review the wide range of equipment available. Highly knowledgeable staff will guide visitors through the many choices on show, and provide hands-on demonstrations in ideal conditions so that customers can be assured that they are choosing the equipment or system which precisely meets their requirements, all at extremely competitive prices.
When it comes to consumables of every type imaginable, visitors can enter the Photomart supermarket and fill their baskets with all the goods they need to take away with them. Everything is laid out on shelves for easy access, whether it is film, paper, camera cards, CDs, DVDs and floppy disks, batteries, lamps, minilab sundries and peripheries, or a host of accessories.
A separate section carries the more bulky products laid out on pallets, such as the wide selection of photochemistry handled by Photomart which includes the extensive range manufactured by Russell Chemistry, for which it is the exclusive UK distributor, along with every other leading brand. Also in this section are such items as cassettes and rolls of paper, monitors, spare parts, studio accessories, backdrops, point-of-sale and promotional material, and the like.
Having collected whatever is required, the customer then proceeds to a checkout point where his individual profile is called up on-screen to relate any particular discounts or allowances to the purchases.
"We have created here the most comprehensive and customer-friendly wholesale distribution operation in the industry," says Photomart managing director Lewis Martindale. "We plan to open seven days a week so that all customers can call at whatever time suits them best.
"As can be imagined, this new venture has involved massive investment, but we believe this inclusive approach will set new standards in the industry to the benefit of all our customers. It is a concept which we will extend to other major cities in the UK and Europe in due course."
Other aspects of the Photomart 'hypermarket' site are planned to come on stream very soon, all intended to enable customers to take full advantage of the services and special deals which the company is extending, and full details will be announced as they are completed.
To arrange a visit to Photomart's vision of the future world of wholesale supplies, or for further information on the even wider ranges of products now available, contact Lewis Martindale at Photomart by telephone: 020 8527 6006, or email: lewis@photomart.co.uk
