RS Components shortlisted for three eCommerce Awards for Excellence

RS recently unveiled a transformation of its eCommerce website that significantly enhances the online experience for its customers. The launch followed extensive research by the company into its customers' use of the website and includes new features and functionality that provide enhanced support throughout the browsing and buying process. RS now boasts 60 websites across the world, with the majority in respective local languages. The company is continuously improving its eCommerce offering through further customer engagement via the website, its call centre, and online tools such as Live Chat.

RS has also implemented a successful Search Engine Marketing strategy and is working to become more ubiquitous in key outlets like Google. SEM has catalysed a dramatic cultural shift in the company and has become a vital channel for RS customers. This strategy has realised a significant rise in search marketing revenue and search traffic, as well as increased investment and continuously improving performance.

The eCommerce strategy has achieved significant growth for RS. In the financial year ended March 2011, online sales were £575m having grown by 37%. Over 53% of the Group’s revenues are now being generated by eCommerce while international sales have grown to 70% of total revenue. In addition, the company’s TRI*M Index customer satisfaction score has increased to 90 across Europe. This puts it in the top 10% against other European trade and distribution company benchmarks.

Keith Reville, General Manager eCommerce at Electrocomponents, commented: “This is a fantastic achievement for our business acknowledging the quality of the improvements that we are delivering to our customers throughout the world. By focusing the whole company on their needs, we will continue to drive new and practical enhancements to the website and to our online services. This is essential to achieving our aim of building a £1bn+ eCommerce business.”

The eCommerce Awards for Excellence recognise and celebrate companies in the UK that are driving the eCommerce industry forward. The awards cover all parts of the eCommerce process from mobile commerce and payment solutions to customer service, marketing and start-up companies.

The winners will be announced on 11 October 2011 at the awards ceremony at the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel, London.