NEWBURY PARK, Calif. (BRAIN) — On Monday, Giant USA is launching its WebLink online sales platform along with new Giant and Liv consumer websites. Consumers will be able to order Giant bikes through the site and pick up the bike at their chosen Giant retailer. Giant announced the program in February and several Giant stores have been testing the system for six months.
In an email to Giant retailers sent Monday, Giant USA's general manager, John "JT" Thompson, said the testing showed that "consumers, who are long accustomed to retail purchasing online, like the ability to do the very same thing with bicycles and bike gear, and we want that purchasing to be sourced from you."
Bikes purchased online will be shipped to the Giant retailer chosen by the consumer for build and pickup. If the retailer has the model in stock, they can opt to deliver that bike instead of having a new one shipped. Retailers stocking the series of ordered bikes will receive a credit for the full Advertised Retail Price margin on the consumer's purchase. Retailers who don't stock that model series will receive credit for 80 percent of the margin. Giant and Liv gear purchased online will be shipped directly to the consumer, and the closest stocking Giant retailer within 100 miles will get the full ARP margin credit on the purchase.
Thompson encouraged Giant retailers who haven't already done so to enroll in SmartEtailing's "Where to Buy" program. The free service works with retailers' compatible POS systems to show consumers shopping for bikes on the Giant and Liv websites which nearby retailers have the chosen bicycles in stock. "Hundreds of Giant retailers are already on board with Where to Buy," said Thompson, "and it's in your best interest to do the same right away."
Consumers purchasing Giant and Liv bikes online can finance their purchases through Affirm Inc., or they can pay with a credit card.
Giant is offering webinars to walk retailers through the WebLink process. Thompson said he believes "WebLink will safeguard the viability of progressive, forward-looking IBDs and their customers."
