STIHL GB has announced a new e-commerce solution that will enable its Approved Dealers to serve customers via a high quality online platform.  From April 2014, Approved Dealers can add online sales to their STIHL and VIKING offer.

Many products will be available to order online for delivery to the customer’s place of work or home, while those which STIHL deems to require a detailed or personal handover such as chain saws and metal tool brush cutters will be available to ‘click and collect’.

Announcing the development, Robin Lennie, Managing Director of STIHL GB said: “The new STIHL e-commerce concept will ensure all our customers – both valued Approved Dealers and end users, can enjoy the benefits of online sales, whilst critically retaining the high service standards expected of our brands.”

STIHL continues to rely exclusively on the servicing dealer, but this latest change reflects the latest legal requirements within the EU as well as growing significance of the Internet for the power tool segment. The expanded online business will supplement the dealer’s local presence enabling customers to buy STIHL and VIKING at a time and place to best suit their needs.

Ensuring that the high service standards of the STIHL Group are retained, Approved Dealers can sign-up for an official STIHL Online Partner Store – a customised online store with technical and marketing support provided by STIHL, or will be able to retail products online through their own websites using an approved ‘shop-in-shop’ formula.  

STIHL will work closely with its Approved STIHL and VIKING Dealer network to ensure that every dealership has the tools and support needed to take advantage of the opportunities this programme presents, providing guidelines for shop-in-shop concepts and access to specialist online marketing support.