Cartridge World UK & Ireland has today opened the doors to its brand new Harrogate showroom. The new-format store is a first for the company and a departure from the traditional Cartridge World retail environment, showcasing new printers and print supplies in a way that enables customers and prospects to get hands on with hardware to ensure it meets their specific needs.
The showroom includes meeting areas and facilities such as free Nespresso coffee and Wi-Fi to provide a comfortable working environment for business customers to stay connected to their organisation, while discussing and exploring options to help them print more efficiently and reduce costs.
Paul Callow, Cartridge World UK & Ireland CEO said, “the very first Cartridge World store outside of Australia – where Cartridge World was founded – was opened in Harrogate in 2002, so it is entirely fitting that this brand new showroom should open in the town some 14 years later. Along with Harrogate, we plan to use these stores to demonstrate best practice and what is possible when franchisees take full advantage of the promotions, tools and services, which have been introduced to the network by us since taking control of the UK business last April.”
This initiative is the latest investment in the franchise network by Cartridge World UK & Ireland to diversify the range of services and capabilities franchisees can take advantage of. These include Cartridge World Sonar, software that enables customers to get better control of their print spending, and the opening of its Global Procurement Centre (GPC) in China.
Cartridge World UK & Ireland plans to open five showrooms in 2017, either through its existing franchise network, new franchisees, or through the master franchise itself. Longer term, there are plans to roll the concept out in France, Spain and Portugal, countries where the UK & Ireland master franchise acquired the franchise rights in November 2016.
Cartridge World Harrogate is open for business today and will be the base of operations for Gavin Askew, General Manager UK and EU Sales Director.