An innovative B2B web platform to showcase their new collections

Discover how SCJ supported MEPHISTO in the design and implementation of their web platform, intended for boutiques and points of sale, to prepare in advance for visits from their sales representatives.

MEPHISTO, a leading name in the shoe industry!

With more than 18,000 retailers worldwide, MEPHISTO is a major player in the footwear industry.

A French company specializing in the manufacture of shoes renowned for their comfort, MEPHISTO has consistently demonstrated innovation throughout its history, remaining a globally recognized brand for the quality, modernity, and technicality of its creations.

The MEPHISTO group includes the following brands:

• MEPHISTO
• MOBILS (extreme comfort)
• SANO (fitness and wellness)
• ALLROUNDER (outdoor)

Context of the B2B Web Platform Project

For many years, SCJ has been supporting MEPHISTO’s field sales team through the Softwear mobile application, which simplifies order taking and saves them considerable time on a daily basis.

To animate and grow the sales of its commercial network, MEPHISTO needed a true digital showroom, fully designed to provide its distributor clients with a new approach to the buying experience and to create new sales opportunities, particularly by allowing them to preview new collections before their field representative visits for their seasonal placement orders.

Indeed, in the fashion industry, sales are driven by the release of new collections. The seasonal placement order represents a major financial stake for boutiques and points of sale and requires prior strategic consideration.

The objective of this multi-brand e-commerce platform was to make collections accessible to all retailers, including those geographically distant, without “cannibalizing” the role of the sales force, while integrating it at the core of the process.

MEPHISTO therefore relied on SCJ’s services to support them in this innovative approach.

The B2B Platform: a digital showroom allowing MEPHISTO buyers to preview new collections

Through an immersive navigation in the world of MEPHISTO group brands, the B2B platform offers buyers the possibility to browse new collections at their own pace and anytime: digitalized lookbooks, videos, model photos… all providing a variety of visual supports to take the time to discover new shoe models.

Buyers can immerse themselves in upcoming trends and study in detail the items that may interest their clients in-store. They carefully consider their integration and placement strategy in their points of sale, refine their selections, and prepare to ask specific questions during meetings with the representative. They have all the information to make more informed decisions about which models to order, reducing the risk of purchasing unsuitable items and ending up with unsellable stock.

Thanks to this online preview, both clients and sales representatives save time on the day of the visit to complete the seasonal placement order. Indeed, this meeting represents a key and privileged moment between the representative and their client. Having already visualized the collection, buyers are more receptive and available, and representatives have the time needed to support and guide clients in their selection and optimize order taking.

A full range of services as additional interaction tools between representatives and clients

The B2B platform provides an additional means of interaction between MEPHISTO representatives and their clients, offering greater flexibility in scheduling appointments: physical meetings, remote, via video call, by phone… according to client preferences.

• The Commercial Suggestions Module

With the commercial suggestions module, representatives receive predefined order recommendations based on client typology for new models and items. Using their field knowledge, they can complete and personalize these recommendations according to geographic location, client profile, etc., and then share them with clients, adding arguments and comments as needed.

These relevant commercial suggestions allow MEPHISTO representatives to anticipate their clients’ needs and better guide them in purchasing decisions by presenting tailored offers.

The B2B platform thus helps increase the average transaction value and optimize sales opportunities.

• The After-Sales Service Module

Thanks to the after-sales service module, MEPHISTO can more easily manage complaints and returns from distributor clients, responding quickly to their needs.

Through their space, clients create and submit their SAV request, specifying the items concerned. A processing status informs them of proper receipt and tracking of their ongoing requests.

This module allows MEPHISTO to improve the quality of its after-sales service and better satisfy its clients.

• Providing an enriched client space

On the B2B platform, clients have access to a dedicated space where they can find all the information they need: details of recent orders, download media assets of ordered items (product visuals…), check backorders, addresses and commercial conditions, etc.

In short, by offering a preview of new collections and providing buyers with multiple services that foster additional interactions with representatives, the B2B platform gives MEPHISTO a competitive advantage, enabling clients to make more informed decisions while helping representatives save time and optimize the order process.