Pentel hosted a group of independent stationery retailers at its offices in Swindon earlier this month, designed to facilitate communication between the company and the independent stationery retail community.
The informal event, described by Pentel as the first of its kind that the writing instruments manufacturer has organised, enabled those present to see the Pentel showroom with its full range of products and merchandising.
Pentel marketing manager, Wendy Vickery, explains, “Pentel is fully committed to supporting independent retailers, with a dedicated field sales force fully equipped with regular promotions and able to offer face-to-face expert advice. We wanted to cement our understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by customers on a day-to-day basis, and create an environment in which we could listen, share ideas and suggest ways in which we could all grow our business together.”
She adds, “We wanted to give customers the opportunity to see for themselves our full range of products and merchandising in the convenient environment of the Pentel showroom. And we were able to chat about our comprehensive programme of social media activity running throughout the year, designed to drive end-user awareness and hopefully generate increased demand for our customers.”
Stationery Supplies owner and multiple industry award-winner Sarah Laker, who was among the small party of guests, commented, “It was such a great day, really invigorating to spend time thinking and talking about ways to grow our businesses.”
Pentel hopes to run similar events in the future in support of the independent retail channel.
Top: L-R: Wendy Vickery, marketing manager Pentel, Graham Craik, director of sales UK and Ireland Pentel, Sandra Jervis, owner of Creative Cove, Hideki Hayama, managing director Pentel, Andy Ross, owner of Suttles of Malden, Jane Rockett, director of Axminster Printing Co., Sarah Laker, owner of Stationery Supplies, Ray Williams, owner JPS Stationers and John Cotterell, territory manager Pentel.
