How Frobisher Keeps Its Multi-Store and Multi-Channel Operations Running Smoothly

In our latest customer story, we’re putting the spotlight on Frobisher, an interior design company with two retail locations in New Zealand. With a flagship store in Christchurch, an Auckland based showroom, and an online store, the Frobisher team does an amazing job of staying on top of the various components of the business. 

We caught up with Jacinta Walker, Sales and Marketing Coordinator at Frobisher, and asked her to share Forbisher’s story. 

Check out what she has to say.

1. Tell us a bit about how Frobisher got started. What’s the story behind the business?

Frobisher has been on the scene for approximately 30 years. Ann-Marie and Mark, the current owners, have had the business since 2009. Originally situated in a small villa on Aikmans Road in Merivale Christchurch, Frobisher now has our flagship store in Christchurch that offers exclusive furniture and Interior design services for every budget and a retail store in Parnell, Auckland. 

Frobisher has gone from strength to strength in the design and furniture industry. Our team are always ready to take on your latest project, and are highly experienced in working closely with architects and builders to ensure the best outcome for our clients. We are not restricted in our designs, as our team are able to source from wherever they like in order to meet our client’s needs. 

2. How do you keep people coming back?

Our tag line is “unique design, inspired together”, and this applies to the design and retail aspect of our business. 

We carefully listen to our clients and customers as to what their needs may be, and what the market is providing. We then find a gap and fulfill that need. This makes us unique in our offering. We have exclusive rights to some of our suppliers which gives us a competitive advantage.

3.  What are some of the challenges that come with running multiple stores?

We have a retail store in Parnell, Auckland. With different cities come variations in needs, wants, trends and styles. We try to accommodate for all of these factors while maintaining a nationwide brand image.

Planning and communication are critical. We are constantly in touch with our Auckland Manager, and our retail team makes a trip to Auckland every month. This ensures support for our retail team, and to ensure that our showroom’s and processes are running smoothly,

 A challenge we face is communicating that we have access to suppliers and products from all over the world, you can customise or individualise many of our pieces and the options are endless! You are not limited to what we have in – store with Frobisher. 

4. Are you using any integrations with Vend?

We have Vend integration with our website (which uses WooCommerce), this allows us to easily upload our product range with the relevant information which saves us a significant amount of time. 

We also use Vend to stay on top of financial information via Xero, it helps us keep track of sales and financial reporting information.