Member Article

Mintprice.com deal with major stationery wholesaler will fuel growth

North East-based price comparison site Mintprice.com has secured an exclusive deal with industry giant Spicers - one of the UK’s largest office products distributors.

It means Mintprice.com will now feature 17,000 lines in Spicers’ catalogue via a partnership linking the wholesaler’s resellers with the Mintprice site.

Mintprice.com has enjoyed 300% year-on-year growth since the business was established by former Sage executive, Nigel Hudson.

Five new staff members have been recruited this year to support the growth.

Nigel said: “They are the UK’s largest wholesaler with ambitious growth plans for the SME sector via e-commerce platforms. Mintprice is a strategic partner in helping them to win market share.

“Spicers has an exceptional product range and we have linked Mintprice.com directly to the Spicers logistics system, which enables us to provide our customers with the largest choice of products, at exceptional prices, with overnight delivery on most items.

“Our fundamental principle is to help our customers run more efficient businesses and helping them keep their costs down is a key part of this.”

Mintprice.com’s electronic link with Spicers’ systems means that customers can immediately see stock availability and track their orders online.

Spicers business development director, Simon Wallis, said: “There is a high cost of winning new customers on the internet, which has seen our reseller partners ask us for support in order to be able to compete with some of the big names such as Viking Direct and Staples.

“A number of Spicers resellers are now linked to the Mintprice.com site and they will win orders based on their price competitiveness. This is good news for partner resellers as we are creating a level playing field where the most efficient resellers can win their fair share of orders.

“Furthermore it is good news for buyers, who will save time as they no longer need to shop around for prices, but more critically they will save money. With the average savings in excess of 30 per cent when compared to some of the big internet names, this is online buying at its best.”

Mintprice.com’s strong growth is being driven by its unique, patented price comparison technology, which finds shoppers the lowest price for individual items or a basket of office supplies from a choice of sellers, then allows them to order with one click for next day delivery, all without leaving the website.

The Mintprice.com system, which was conceived by company founder Elie Jankelewitz back in 2001, is now being rolled out to its full potential after the business secured investment from the Finance for Business North East Angel Fund via Rivers Capital Partners.

Mr Hudson said: “Our technology, and now our partnership with Spicers, means we are now fully equipped to win an even larger share of the UK’s £1bn+ value stationery market.

“With more than nine out of 10 customers saying they would recommend us and with our 4.8 out of 5 satisfaction rating, our philosophy of providing a faster, easier and more efficient method of buying stationery is obviously what people want.”

Mintprice.com’s customers range from domestic users to SMEs, schools and colleges, and large corporate clients including Hays Travel, ESH, TSG, NCFE and NEPIC.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .