Unlike many of our competitors, we at Banks Lyon do not run a typical e-commerce website. This may seem at odds with the current trend for online shopping, but we strongly believe that by not directly selling online and only using the website to generate enquiries we are providing our customers with an ultimately more rewarding and enjoyable shopping experience.
Banks Lyon Jewellers - Church Street, Lancaster
Of course, if you are reading this blog then you will be aware of Banks Lyon’s strong online presence. Although we maintain an extensive website offering comprehensive details on all products currently available, we do not actually sell through the site like other online retailers where shoppers can simply 'click to buy'. The site instead functions as a ‘digital shop window’ where customers can view and acquire detailed information about the products we offer.
Once customers have seen a product that interests them we invite them to make an online enquiry. This is when the Banks Lyon experience begins and our team of Personal Shopping Assistants respond to all online enquiries, providing extensive information about products and of course inviting the customer to visit our Lancaster show room where they will be met by the same member of staff who will be able to offer specialist advice on watches from leading brands such as Rolex, Omega, Cartier, Breitling, TAG Heuer and Bremont. These are just a small selection of the brands carried in store; please browse our site to view our full selection.
We love it when a customer who as made an online enquiry visits our show room as this allows our team to continue providing an exceptional level of customer service and impart their extensive knowledge and expertise. We ensure that shopping with Banks Lyon will always be an outstanding experience and we believe that by selling online we would be denying buyers the level of service we feel is integral when purchasing luxurious high end watches and jewellery.
The opinion that online retailing is sounding the death knell for high street shops is often banded about in the national press. However, our unique approach to online retailing, where the website is utilised to promote our range of watches and jewellery rather than sell them, has encouraged buyers into our show room in their droves. We do offer over the phone sales for overseas customers and those who are located many miles from Lancaster, but we have found that buyers are keen to visit the shop for themselves.
In fact, we have received a number of visitors from travellers from as far afield as American and China, who decided to drop in at our shop whilst travelling to local holiday destinations such as the Lake District, after hearing about Banks Lyon online. This has helped to raise the international profile of Banks Lyon and has also aided the local economy of Lancaster as many international visitors have been keen to stay in Lancaster and take in the historic sights as part of their holiday.
As a family run firm with strong ties to traditional values we feel it is a shame that many high street shops have to close their doors due to the competition they face from online retailers. However, our method of online retailing that is actually encouraging consumers to flock to our store; a benefit for both Banks Lyon and the City of Lancaster. Perhaps more business may be inspired to adopt this approach for themselves and prove that there is still life in the Great British high street yet.