Excellent Stores announced as a Finalist for the Champions of Business - Business Technology Award
Excellent Stores announced as a Finalist for the Champions of Business - Business Technology Award
Excellent Stores was selected as 1 of 3 Finalists for the Trinidad & Tobago Chamber of Industry & Commerce, Champions of Business – Business Technology Award. This was announced on Tuesday 3rd November 2020, on CNC3. Excellent Stores is proud to be selected for this prestigious award. The award, sponsored by bmobile, is designed to recognise a technology-based or technology-driven company or an individual that has created or provided innovative technological solutions or services for new and existing market needs.
Anticipating the need for integrated systems new technology, Excellent Stores implemented a full ERP system in 2015 that also integrated its E-commerce Platform that was launched in 2014. The plan was to ensure that there is a single source of data that will enable improved customer delivery through better information and processes. Having proper data and more efficient processes laid the groundwork to anticipate changes in the market, either through different products, seamless technology, or what eventually came to pass, a global pandemic.
Excellent Stores was one of the first major bricks and mortar retailers to offer a true online shopping experience in Trinidad in 2014 with online payments and home deliveries. The ecommerce platform allows customers the same enjoyment of browsing thousands of items online as they do in store, in one single site. When the Coronavirus pandemic hit and physical stores were closed, they had to quickly pivot and redirect all resources in order to continue servicing customers. Every available secure electronic payment option – Credit Card, Visa Debit, WiPay, Gift Cards, and debit cards for payment on deliveries is accepted. With contactless payment becoming the norm, Excellent Stores has been able to transition the free Click and Collect delivery option to Curbside Pickup at all 6 locations.
Additionally, Excellent Stores utilized technology to enable employees to work safely from home. Laptops and a remote access VPN on personal computers were deployed to allow work to continue without compromising on safety or security. Also, in order to rapidly increase the number of
products in the online store, the company set up a secured central cloud storage for uploaders to upload product images and descriptions to the website.
Recognizing that the economy will continue to be in a sustained recession and foreign exchanges reserves will continue to deplete, Excellent Stores has taken a position of “Collaboration over Competition”. Identifying that no one store can carry everything, Marketplace was launched in August 2020. Marketplace provides other local retailers/small businesses, the opportunity to get an online presence on a trusted and reliable site and gives customers exclusive offers and items not found in their physical stores. This venture allows customers to benefit from an even greater contactless experience utilizing the systems already in place and other retailers can now benefit from a true Omni-channel partnership.
Excellent Stores is committed to continuing to use technology to create the best experiences for its customers, employees and other retailers.
The award recipient will be revealed in a high profile, live national broadcast of the Champions of Business Awards ceremony that is scheduled for November 20th, 2020. In acknowledging the influence of Covid-19, the Chamber has adopted the theme “Redesign & Reimagine” for 2020. This year, for the first time, the event will be broadcast live via television and livestreamed. Congrats to all finalists and stay tuned for the reveal of the winner.
