Owners of the UK franchise aim to centralise operations through closures of its three stores.
Cartridge World East Lancashire’s Nyreen and Darren Turner
In future, the franchise believes customers will want “even more convenience, savings, innovation and an even greater level of service”, with the response to this being that the franchise’s operations will be consolidated into one “centrally-controlled unit”. This will mean the three stores – in Rawtenstall, Blackburn and Accrington – will close, with co-owner Nyreen Turner stating that “our stores are now inconvenient for many people, causing customers to make special journeys just to buy products”.
The Turners – Nyreen and Darren – took over the franchise 11 years ago in order to “keep their roots firmly based in the area” in which both had grown up. The franchise started as retail-focused, with most sales from the three stores, but in 2008 “the printer supplies market started to change”, with the internet offering a “convenient alternative” for customers and 24-hour stores providing strong competition.
In 2012, the franchise signed a strategic agreement with office supplies buying group NEMO, which afforded access to a “broad range” of stationery and office products. After that, the Turners aimed to “further enhance their solutions” and “differentiate themselves” by offering subscription-based printing services such as ‘Infinity’, Pain Free Printing and MOT Printing Solutions.
In response to the closures, the franchise will offer a “fast and free, super convenient” delivery service in the local area, with investment made in computer systems that allow for orders to be placed any time. Orders placed before 11am on a working day “will be delivered [the] same day” for free, while orders placed after 11am will be delivered the next working day “again, absolutely free”.
The consolidation will also lead to improvements in customer support, with “territory-based account managers” bringing customers orders and learning about customers. These managers will also educate customers about new products and services, as well as offering solutions to issues. The Turners concluded that “for the future” the franchise will aim to be “recognised as a world-leading print solutions and office supplies business” for its customers.