Virtual service helps retailers
A virtual shopping service to help Kaikoura’s quake-hit retailers is flourishing as more Kiwis choose to put their Christmas dollars to a good cause.
Shop Kaikoura allows users to book a personal shopper who will browse the town’s stores on their behalf, sharing the experience on a live video stream or through photos.
The venture is the brainchild of tech executive and experimental quantum physicist Ina Kinski, who was blown away by the level of interest.
Not only were retailers benefiting, but staff from the accommodation and tourism sector, who have little or no income, were able to sign up to become personal shoppers. Retailers could then choose to pay them a commission on items purchased.
“Which is of course right because they’re getting business that they wouldn’t otherwise get. It also motivates you as a shopper to do a great job because it’s in your interest that some money gets spent.”
Kinski said the spend was generally large. There had been a few purchases of several hundred dollars worth of merino clothing, while one company had bought all 27 of its secret Santa presents through the service.
“People don’t tend to do it for the one paua shell. I’ve been surprised by how much people have been prepared to spend.”
So far 11 personal shoppers had signed up and more than 30 virtual shopping trips had been booked, although Kinski said some were being arranged through retailers directly.
“They pick whether they want to go for half an hour or an hour, we even had one person who wanted a three-hour trip because they wanted to see everything.
“We’ve then got photos and a little profile of our shoppers and they can pick who they like.”
To purchase items the phone is handed over to the retailer, with Shop Kaikoura having nothing to do with the end transaction. Kinski, a Kaikoura resident, came up with the idea after offering to do a friend’s Christmas shopping in the town via Skype.
“It went really well and then I thought why not scale this up? The whole country could just as easily do this,” she said.
She hoped the scheme was helping to inject some much-needed money, and hope, into the community.
* Want to get your Christmas pressies from Kaikoura? Visit shopkaikoura.co.nz. was still working out the next steps. He would not reveal how much the company owes its appointing creditor.
Revolucija relaunched 13 Shanton stores in September last year after buying the brand.
The chain’s former owners went into liquidation in June 2015 owing $7.7 million. It was hoped the new owner would mark a new era for the 40-year-old “fashion favourite”.
“The new owner and rebranding represent the beginning of a new era in the life of the Shanton fashion brand,” Revolucija said last year.
“A commitment to improved quality in garment fit and fabric, Shanton will introduce seasonal stories at a very reasonable price point. Fresh drops of garments will arrive in-store every two weeks, giving fashion consumers regular newness and inspiration.”
Yelavich was unable to comment yesterday.
Matthew Theunissen