Boosting HMV’s online sales with re- engineered search engine
As strategic technical partner to HMV, LBi has launched the first phase of HMV’s new e-commerce platform - a new search engine that will support the company’s growth plans and the anticipated increase in online purchasing from customers. The new search engine will provide faster search, better search results, faceted navigation, improved ability to merchandise products, increased ability to personalise the user experience and will allow HMV to support increased growth in online sales. The new search engine will enable consumers to find what they are looking for more easily, leading to an easier purchase experience. Also, HMV will be able to get to know their customers as individuals and communicate with them about things that will interest them.
HMV is the UK and Ireland’s leading specialist retailer of Music, DVD/Video, Computer Games and Related Products. The company operates around 200 stores in key shopping locations nationwide, equating to over 1million sq. ft. of trading space, as well as a successful online store at www.hmv.co.uk, operated by HMV Guernsey. HMV is part of HMV Group plc, which as of April 2004 operated 366 HMV stores in eight countries across Europe, North America and Pacific Asia as well as 193 Waterstone’s stores principally in the UK and Ireland. All of the Group’s operations, both in the United Kingdom and internationally, are wholly owned.
We acted as strategic consultants and guided HMV through a detailed analysis which highlighted the limitations of the current e-commerce platform. LBi was named HMV’s lead partner and asked to deliver a 2-year programme of work to replace the existing platform and using a technology stack able to support the significant growth HMV have seen in the online channel. We assisted HMV with vendor selection and chose Endeca as the search partner for this phase of work. We are currently helping HMV to select and implement the remaining technologies within the new platform which will go live in 2010.
LBi and HMV have enjoyed a strong relationship since April 2007 which has spanned engagements in digital strategy, web design and build, search engine optimisation, technology, design and implementation, user research, testing and quality assurance. In 2008 we designed and delivered HMV’s new social discovery site: getcloser.com. LBi were then engaged in late 2008 to help solve a critical business issue: the declining capability of its ecommerce platform.
Tags: e-commerce, HMV, News, press release, search engine, UK