InternetRetailer.com Article
Release Date: 2010-05-07
Many sporting goods retailers say their own employees are their biggest advocates. Aficionados of the skis, bikes and surfboards they sell, the employees also talk up the brands they own when giving advice to regular customers. Manufacturer Fuji Bikes is using a new program that encourages salespeople to learn about its brand and then offers them steep discounts on Fuji Bikes and equipment. The hope is that staffers will boost their knowledge and love of Fuji gear, and pass that enthusiasm on to shoppers.
The service, from 3point5.com, trains retail employees about brands through presentations, online educational games and quizzes. If employees pass a test, they can make a purchase through the site at a deep discount, says Brian Bond, 3point5.com’s vice president of marketing. The 3point5.com software tracks purchases, makes sure employees get the proper discounts, and ships the goods to the salesperson’s retail store. Retail employees who want access to the program register at 3point5.com and name their retailer and store location. Manufacturers inform 3point5.com of the discounts they want to offer and the corresponding items and pricing appear in the 3point5 online store. When a retail employee places an order, 3point5.com passes it to the manufacturer’s warehouse management system and the product is shipped from the manufacturer to the retail store, addressed to the employee.
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