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Black White Denim & Docnet Nail Their Colours To The Mast With New Online Site

Posted by Stephanie Fenton

New Wilmslow fashion boutique to help women create the foundations for an everlasting wardrobe.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Black White Denim Logo

Manchester e-commerce experts Docnet have teamed up with new Wilmslow based ladies fashion retailer Black White Denim to help them launch a powerful online presence.

The store, which opened it’s doors in September, only stocks women’s clothing in black, white or denim and is currently supported by an interactive landing page. Jo Davies, the brains behind the idea, wanted to stock classic pieces that could form the foundation for any stylish woman’s wardrobe. A total of 20 designers are showcased including By Malene Birger, Bolongaro Trevor, Lot 78 and J Brand Jeans. The collection also features clothing and accessories by up and coming designers, whose pieces were previously not available outside of London.

Docnet have used their flexible content management system to create up to date features such as the ‘Sign Him Up’ promotion. Women simply sign up their partners to ensure they get that Christmas present they really want. Their partners can chose from either a wish list or pieces chosen by Black White Denim based on order history. This helps Black White Denim to stay in touch with their existing customers and attract new ones, informing them of any promotions or events.

The current landing page, designed by Lou Poole of Germ, includes a 360-degree virtual tour of the store and gives consumers a real flavour of who Black White Denim are. The blog has up to date news about the progress of the new store and features some of the many press releases covering its opening. The fully transactional site is set to go live before the end of February 2011.

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E-commerceCompany

New Integrated EPoS System From Docnet Could Save Online Retailers £17,760 Per Year - 19th April 2010

Posted by Gareth Cutter

Full-service digital agency launches integrated e-commerce platform solving online and offline ‘disconnect’

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Docnet Managing Director, Chris Maule and Financial Director, Stuart Williams with the new EPoS system

Manchester-based full service e-commerce company Docnet has launched a new version of its integrated electronic point of sale (EPoS) and e-commerce offering that could generate cost savings of £17,760 upwards per year for retailers.

Docnet’s platform is designed for retailers who operate traditional retail shops and online stores, and have to employ staff to ensure stock levels and order fulfilments are kept up to date. The new version of SprintEcommerce updates in real-time so stock changes are reflected on the web site and store locations automatically. The potential cost savings are the equivalent of one full-time staff member freed to fulfil other roles.

This new system has meant fewer order cancellations through un-fulfilment, as well as less time spent administrating systems for existing users. It has also eliminated the need for multiple vendors as it comes as part of Docnet’s integrated e-commerce and online marketing services.

Chris Maule, Managing Director of Docnet commented, “When we designed this system, we had in mind the frustration consumers can experience when they try purchasing an item online that’s out of stock because the web site hasn’t updated; we also recognised the strain retailers experience trying to keep these records up to date. Our most recent version of SprintEcommerce, with integrated EPoS, provides both parties with a solution.”

“We’re also finding more and more useful applications for our new EPoS system. We’ve been keeping our clients’ pre-fulfilment cancellation rates on web sites like Amazon to a minimum and providing them with up to the minute sales analysis which was unavailable previously.”

Founded in 1997, Docnet is based on Deansgate in Manchester City Centre and offers a range of digital marketing and e-commerce services for SMEs and larger organiations. Docnet’s client list includes BAA, Drapers E-tail Award winning fashion retailer for two years running, Sarah Coggles, high street clothing chain, Ark Clothing and online music retailer, Gear4Music.

  • ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Docnet:

Founded in 1997, Docnet is a full-service e-commerce agency based in Manchester Deansgate. Docnet’s services include full service e-commerce, EPoS systems, email marketing, customer relationship management (CRM), pay-per-click (PPC) and search engine optimisation (SEO) for SMEs and larger organisations. Docnet believe in a service-led approach to e-commerce and online marketing, helping clients create workable strategies for online success and providing the tools and advice to achieve it.

E-commerceCompany

Docnet Client Wins Drapers’ ‘Best Independent Etailer’ Award For Second Year Running - 29th January 2010

Posted by Gareth Cutter

Fashion Retailer, Sarah Coggles Wins Award & Special Mention At Prestigious Drapers Awards Ceremony

  • FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Drapers Etail Awards 2010

Independent fashion retailer, Sarah Coggles have swept up ‘Best Independent Etailer’ for the second year running at the Drapers Etail Awards 2010, held last night at the Bloomsbury Ballroom in London. Their web site also earned them a Special Mention in the ‘Etailer Of The Year’ category, awarded to the most outstanding fashion retailer in the UK, demonstrating how well the site is performing compared to larger, non-independent retailers.

Manchester Deansgate-based full-service e-commerce agency, Docnet has been working alongside Sarah Coggles to develop and manage their web site for the past 5 years in addition to managing their email marketing and online order processing systems.

When asked to comment on Sarah Coggles winning the Drapers Independent Etailer Award for the second year running, Chris Maule, Managing Director of Docnet said, ‘The whole team here at Docnet are very proud to have helped make this award become a reality for Sarah Coggles, and we are very excited about our planned developments for 2010, designed to keep them at the forefront of the fashion retail for years to come.’

  • ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Docnet:

Founded in 1997, Docnet is a full-service e-commerce agency based in Manchester Deansgate. Docnet’s services include full service e-commerce, EPoS systems, email marketing, customer relationship management (CRM), pay-per-click (PPC) and search engine optimisation (SEO) for SMEs and larger organisations. Docnet believe in a service-led approach to e-commerce and online marketing, helping clients create workable strategies for online success and providing the tools and advice to achieve it.

About Sarah Coggles:

Sarah Coggles was founded by Victoria Bage in York in 1974 on a single market stall and has since grown into one of the largest independent etailers in the UK, selling a diverse range of designer labels and one-off clothing items. In addition to its e-commerce website, Sarah Coggles has a store in York that receives more than 260,000 visitors a year.

E-commerce

Record 1,057 Parcels Shipped In Twelve Hours By Online Music Retailer - 10th December 2009

Posted by Gareth Cutter

Gear4Music is hitting all the right notes with its dynamic online store in the run-up to Christmas

  • FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gear4Music, one of the UK’s largest online retailers of musical instruments passed a landmark in its company history on Monday. For the first time since it launched, it shipped over 1,000 orders in less than 12 hours (on average, about one every 41 seconds) through its web store, www.gear4music.com. This surge in orders reflects increasing consumer confidence in online retail and demonstrates how successful the most effective web sites can be.

Over the past two years, Gear4Music, who sell a wide range of musical instruments including electric guitars, orchestral instruments and drums has grown tremendously, more than doubling its annual turnover. From the end of 2007 to the present Gear4Music have increased sales from £4.4m to almost £10m per annum.

In addition to being one of the UK’s largest online musical instrument retailers, over the past year Gear4Music has sold and dispatched instruments to customers in countries all across Europe, including locations in Turkey, The Canary Islands, Estonia, Slovakia and Gibraltar. Gear4Music’s international reach has been growing steadily since it first launched in 2003 and continues to expand.

Gear4Music’s web site is designed and hosted by the Manchester-based full service e-commerce company Docnet, who also design and run web sites for winners of Drapers’ Independent Etailer of the Year 2009 Award, Sarah Coggles (www.coggles.com) and the UK distributor of award-winning Xen-Tan fake tan range, Skin Solutions Ltd (www.xen-tan.co.uk).

On passing this prestigious landmark, Gear4Music owner and Managing Director, Andrew Wass said, “Monday was a fantastic day for Gear4Music, and the signs are just as good for the rest of December. Christmas is always a very busy time of year for us - but the past few days have been exceptional. It is thanks to our innovative and highly successful web site that we’re able to ship as many instruments as we have.”

Managing Director of Docnet, Chris Maule added, “We are very pleased to see Gear4Music passing this milestone and are happy to have helped underpin their success. From the first parcel Gear4Music ever shipped to over 1,000 in a single day, it has been a pleasure to work with Andrew and his team. In turn, my team are 100% behind Gear4Music in helping them to sell their excellent product range online and we have exciting plans to help empower their future growth.”

www.gear4music.com

  • ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Gear4Music:

Gear4Music’s mission is simple: to make purchasing and owning musical instruments and equipment easy for everyone by providing great prices and excellent service.

Founded and launched by Red Submarine Ltd in 2003, Gear4Music stocks over 6,500 musical instruments from over 300 internationally recognised manufacturers, as well as selling their own range of self-branded stock. The web site boasts over 140,000 registered customers who are able to book their own delivery date and arrange to receive email or SMS text updates on the progress of their orders.

Gear4Music also have a large showroom and exhibition centre based on the outskirts of York where customers can try the stock for themselves.

E-commerceCompany

E-commerce Provider Expands Into New City-Centre Location - 12th August 2009

Posted by Gareth Cutter

Docnet continues growth programme with move to Speakers House, Deansgate

  • FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Docnet full-service e-commerce provider

Manchester city-centre based Docnet are relocating to Speakers House on Deansgate as of the end of August 2009. The move from their current premises, Pleer House opposite the Urbis, comes at a time of continued growth for the company.

To meet increasing client demands, the office space will accommodate more staff whilst retaining their city centre-based operations. A number of recent client wins include the UK supplier of Xen-Tan, Skin Solutions Ltd.; Harley Street laser eye clinic, Advance VisionCare and Lancashire creative agency, JGM.

Of the office move, Managing Director Chris Maule had the following to say: "Our ongoing expansion programme has helped us to outgrow our current premises and the move to Speakers House will ensure we can continue that growth in line with our business plan.”

Online retail has been growing at an exceptional rate throughout 2009, charting figures up 13% on 2008 according to the e-tail membership community, IMRG. Companies wishing to increase the amount of revenue from their online retail sites can contact Docnet at their new premises from September on 0845 521 0444, or by visiting www.doc-net.com.

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Company

Market Leading Self-Tanning Web Site Makes Competition Pale in Comparison - 7th August 2009

Posted by Gareth Cutter

Xen-Tan launches transactional site to facilitate exceptional growth and promote its celebrity endorsements

  • FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Xen-Tan, The Premium Sunless Tan

Spots in fashion & beauty magazines; television slots; celebrity praise: Xen-Tan has been causing a stir lately with its unique brand of fragrant, streak-free tanning products and has beaten off the competition to become the new first choice sunless-tanning option for the UK. To match its growing popularity, Xen-Tan now has a redeveloped UK web site, www.xen-tan.co.uk where visitors can purchase the full range of their products and sign-up for alerts and notifications about the brand.

Brought over from America to the UK by Skin Solutions Ltd, Xen-Tan has been specially developed to overcome all the common drawbacks associated with most sunless tanning products. With no unpleasant odours or any of the ‘tell-tale’ signs of traditional tanning products, Xen-Tan offers a solution for those who want to enhance their skin tone but haven’t escaped the infamous ‘British Summer’.

The new Xen-Tan site has been designed with the visitor in mind: it is now the perfect place for first-time self-tanners to learn about which products are right for them, and for the more experienced self-tanners to find their favourite products with ease. With a comprehensive press and news section, visitors can also keep track of what Xen-Tan has been doing, and news alerts will break the latest gossip to subscribers (visitors can also win £50’s worth of Xen-Tan products when they sign-up for Xen-Tan news alerts).

When planning their web site, Skin Solutions Ltd chose to work with Manchester-based, full-service e-commerce company, Docnet because of their success with other online retailers, such as Ark Clothing, Sarah Coggles (winner of the Drapers’ Independent E-tailer of the Year 2009 award) and Gear4Music. With Skin Solutions Ltd dedicated to making people look their best, and Docnet proven experts in online retail, Xen-Tan.co.uk is set to give online self-tanning retail an exceptional makeover.

  • ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Skin Solutions Limited is the exclusive UK & Europe-wide distributor for Xen-Tan. Set up by Salford Unversity graduate, Natalie Roche, Skin Solutions Limited employs three full-time members of staff and is expected to break the £1m turnover barrier in its third year of trading.

E-commerce

Docnet Manager Takes Home 'Man of the Match' from Old Trafford - 5th June 2009

Posted by Gareth Cutter

League Managers Association Raises Money for UNICEF UK with Charity Pitch Day Event

  • FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The League Managers Association (LMA) hosted a charity pitch day at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium on Monday 1st June to raise funds for UNICEF UK, in which Manchester-based e-commerce firm Docnet took part. Left to Right: John Coyne, Denis Smith & Chris Maule

Docnet’s Managing Director, Chris Maule and Business Development Manager, John Coyne (formerly of Wigan Athletic) took part in the match, playing on an away side made up of players from all over the country. They went head to head against a Grimsby based team wearing Man United’s home colours for the trophy.

Although the end result was 4-1 to the home team, Coyne was awarded ‘Man of the Match’ by the organisers in recognition of his exceptional performance. The away team was managed by Denis Smith, recently inducted into the LMA Hall of Fame 1,000 Club for managing his 1000th league game; former Man United striker Lou Macari managed the home team.

Shortly after the game, Coyne had the following to say about the event:

“It was a tough match and the heat made the conditions difficult, but every player gave 100% and knowing it was all going to a good cause ensured everyone stayed in good spirits. Playing at Old Trafford was a once in a life-time opportunity, and Chris and I felt very proud to be bringing a bit of Manchester to the game itself. I’d like to extend my congratulations to the winning team as they played exceptionally well.”

On the day, participants were welcomed by Manchester United Foundation Chief Executive, John Shiels, and introduced to their managers. A tour of the ground then took place followed by the match itself, complete with entrance onto the pitch through the players’ tunnel with match day soundtrack. The awards were handed out at the end of the game by Blackburn Rovers team manager, Sam Allardyce.

  • ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

About League Managers Association (LMA):

The League Managers Association is the collective, representative voice of all managers from the Barclays Premier League, the Coca-Cola Championship and the Coca-Cola Leagues 1 and 2. Since its inception in 1992, the LMA has continued to develop its support and service offering to its members and its influence within the game.

About UNICEF UK:

UNICEF UK is one of 36 UNICEF National Committees. These National Committees raise funds for UNICEF’s worldwide emergency and development work. In 2007 UNICEF UK raised £41.3 million for UNICEF’s work with children worldwide.

UNICEF believes that every child should have clean water, food, health care, education, and a safe environment in which to grow up. UNICEF upholds the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and works to hold the international community responsible for their promises to children.

About Docnet:

Docnet is a full-service ecommerce provider. Based in Manchester, UK, Docnet’s services include ecommerce, email marketing, customer relationship management (CRM), pay-per-click (PPC) and search engine optimisation (SEO) for SMEs and larger organisations.

Docnet believe in a service-led approach to e-commerce and online marketing, helping clients create workable strategies for online success and providing the tools and advice to achieve it. Success stories of the past include Sarah Coggles (winners of Drapers’ Independent Etailer of the Year Award), Waterstones, BAA and ARK Clothing.

Company

SprintEcommerce Client Wins 'Independent Etailer of the Year' Award - 20th February 2009

Posted by Gareth Cutter

Bespoke website design for Sarah Coggles impresses at Drapers Etail Awards 2009

  • FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

York based Sarah Coggles have been chosen as a model example of independent online fashion retail sector at this years' Drapers Etail Awards, having walked away with 'Independent Etailer of the Year'.

Sarah Coggles Logo

The winners were announced at a ceremony held on the 29th January 2009 at fashionable Mayfair venue, Sketch. The awards were recognition for best practice in one of the fastest growing fashion retail sectors and included categories in customer service, innovation and initiative.

Sarah Coggle's site is provided by Manchester based full-service e-commerce company Doctor Net, using their bespoke SprintEcommerce platform. Over the past two years, the companies have worked together to increase sales revenue and create a 'one of a kind' online experience for shoppers that reflects Sarah Coggles' image, making it one of the largest and most popular independent fashion etailers in the UK.

Mark Bage, Managing Director of Sarah Coggles said about the website, “Doctor Net has provided us with a fully-featured, flexible e-commerce solution that has empowered our online growth over the last two years. We would like to thank all the guys at Doctor Net for their hard work and helping us win 'Best Independent Etailer' at the Drapers Etail Awards this year.”

Chris Maule, Managing Director of Doctor Net, added, “I would like to congratulate Sarah Coggles on their success. It has been a pleasure to work with them and I look forward to ensuring their sales grow even more in the coming years.”

  • ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Sarah Coggles was founded by Victoria Bage in York in 1974 on a single market stall and has since grown into one of the largest independent etailers in the UK, selling a diverse range of designer labels and one-off clothing items. In addition to its e-commerce website, Sarah Coggles has a store in York that receives more than 260,000 visitors a year. For more information, please visit the Sarah Coggles website.

Drapers Etail Awards is a new, dedicated award ceremony for the fastest growing sector in fashion retail. It is hosted by Drapers magazine in association with PayPal and Venda.

E-commerce

Manchester Marketing Firm Knows How to Handle The Big Issue - 20th February 2009

Posted by Gareth Cutter

Big Issue in the North awarded year long free marketing campaign

  • FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Big Issue North Logo

Manchester e-commerce firm Doctor Net has awarded its first pro-bono account of 2009 to the Big Issue in the North. Worth approximately £6,000 over a period of 12 months, the city centre digital specialists will help the Big Issue launch its new Big Deal initiative and provide promotional support to the England Team in the Homeless Football World Cup.

Thirty Five North West charities applied for help from Doctor Net following an appeal in the Manchester Evening News in January. The Big Issue in the North was selected by staff members at Doctor Net.

Doctor Net's Managing Director, Chris Maule is excited about the prospect of working with the Big Issue. He said:- “It was very difficult to decide which charity should benefit from our support, we wish we could help all of the charities who applied. However, we picked the Big Issue in the North because we felt that they could get the most from working with us. It is a very worthy cause and this partnership will help us lead the way in promoting corporate responsibility amongst SME’s in the North West”.

Richard Brown, Advertising and Business Development Director for The Big Issue in the North said: "We're very pleased that Doctor Net has awarded The Big Issue in the North this pro-bono account and look forward to working with them in the coming months. We're currently developing our Big Deal initiative, which is a subscription package for organisations wanting to ensure they get The Big Issue in the North magazine on a regular basis, and we're also once again putting together England's Homeless World Cup team, who will be travelling to Italy in September to take part in an international street soccer tournament playing against around 40 other teams of homeless people. I'm confident Doctor Net will prove invaluable in promoting these projects and raising the profile of The Big Issue in the North."

  • ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Doctor Net is a Manchester based full-service e-commerce company offering a variety of online services, including e-commerce, email marketing, website development, customer relationship management (CRM) and search engine management.

The Big Issue in the North is a business solution to a social problem. It’s a limited company employing staff to write, design and distribute the magazine.

The Big Issue in the North is sold by homeless people across the north of England. Alongside selling the magazine most of our vendors take part in The Big Life Plan, a tailored programme of support to help vendors achieve their goals and move away from the streets for good.

Selling The Big Issue in the North gives homeless people the opportunity to earn a legitimate income. It also gives homeless people motivation and self-esteem.

  • 85%of vendors say that selling gives them the motivation to change their lives
  • 79% say it has improved their self-confidence
  • 95% say they want more from life than selling The Big Issue in the North
  • 82% say that since selling the magazine they have committed less crime
Email Marketing

Manchester Firm Docnet to Represent the North West at Nationwide Technology Conference - 16th February 2009

Posted by Gareth Cutter

Full-service e-commerce company champions North West's expertise, launches new e-commerce platform

  • FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Manchester based firm, Doctor Net is flying the flag for the North West at this year's Technology For Marketing & Advertising show, held at Earls Court 2, London on the 24th & 25th February.

TFM&A 2009 Logo

Doctor Net will be using this opportunity to showcase its cutting-edge digital marketing expertise and launch its fully integrated e-commerce platform. The platform includes fully-hosted e-commerce, email marketing, customer relationship management, pay-per-click (PPC) and search engine optimisation (SEO), eliminating the need for multiple vendors and streamlining the e-commerce process.

Several years in development, this technology is being launched at a time of exceptional growth for Doctor Net. The firm has seen four new staff members join in the past 6 months and annual turnover overtake the £1m mark. Managing Director, Chris Maule expects the company to reach £4m in annual turnover by 2012.

Chris Maule had the following to say about Doctor Net's attendance at the show: “We are very excited about this years' Technology For Marketing & Advertising show, which is a highlight in every marketers' calendar. Last year we met several companies and subsequently have helped them to transform their online sales and marketing. We hope to repeat that experience again and invite anyone who is curious about how fully-integrated e-commerce can dramatically increase their online sales to come and speak to us at the show.”

*ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Technology For Marketing & Advertising is one of the largest trade shows of its kind in the UK. In 2008 it attracted 8,132 attendees and visitors with a combined annual marketing budget of over £1.8 billion.

Doctor Net is a full-service e-commerce provider. Based in Manchester, UK, Doctor Net's integrated platform includes e-commerce, email marketing, customer relationship management (CRM), pay-per-click (PPC) and search engine optimisation (SEO) for SMEs and larger organisations.

Doctor Net will be located at stand F-22 at TFM&A 2009, where visitors will get the chance to speak to Chris Maule and his team of experienced marketing and technical consultants.

E-commerce

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