More Menzies Distribution customers are managing their accounts online than ever
before, with figures for September showing 6,000 customers made 250,000
transactions.
The growing trend for independent retailers to use the i-Menzies system to
manage supplies of newspapers and magazines comes as Menzies Distribution
prepares to release upgraded versions of its popular smartphone app.
The i-Menzies app was an industry first when it was launched at the end of last
year, and quickly received five star reviews on the Apple App store. Since then
new versions have been made available for Android, Blackberry and hybrid
devices.
From next month new versions of the i-Menzies app will be available for iPhones
and Android handsets which will include a new look for the original delivery
note query function and new functions for amending newspaper and magazine
orders.
In December retailers will also be able to register for the online service via
their phone for the first time, gain access to a news inbox, make credit
enquiries and track when their delivery left the depot.
Menzies Distribution's Commercial and Marketing Director David Cooke said: "We
created i-Menzies to allow our customers to manage their own accounts themselves
and we are pleased that more and more people are taking advantage of the system.
The figures for users in September represent a five per cent increase on the
previous month which is really promising.
"However, we know that some of our customers do not have a computer in their
shop so have been managing their accounts online after their working day has
finished. We also have some customers who don't have access to a computer at
all.
"With that in mind, and as part of our ongoing commitment to improve customer
service, we decided to develop an app for iPhones and Androids as a more
efficient and effective way for our customers to manage their accounts from the
shop floor.
"The feedback we have had has been terrific. Our customers enjoy the freedom of
managing their own accounts at any time of the day or night, and they have told
us that the app is the quickest and easiest way for them to work.
"Since releasing the first version of our app we had many requests to increase
its functionality because our customers want to be able to do even more from the
shop floor, which is why we have now invested in several upgrades."
He added: "We are committed to providing the best service possible and will
continue to listen to feedback to ensure our app is as useful as possible to our
retailers.
"And both i-Menzies and our i-Menzies app will continue to be supported by our
two Customer Service Centres."
Menzies Distribution's upgrades for its iPhone and Android apps will be
available from the Apple App store and Google Play store in stages during
November. From mid-December customers will be able to download a complete
version featuring all upgrades.