Combining of several firms for choice, economy and service

Press, 9 April 1981, Page 9

Combining of several firms for choice, economy and service

Five long-established South Island firms have linked together to form part of a major Australasian retailing enterprise. Under the name of “Carpet Call,” the new group forms a chain from Christchurch south to Dunedin. The five establishments are Dores of Christchurch, Murrays of Ashburton, Moyes and Moyes of Timaru, the Oamarn Furnishing Centre and the Churchill Carpet Warehouse of Dunedin.

I As part of an international • organisation, the new Carpet Call outlets will be able to offer exclusive ranges of quality floor coverings and furniture. Together they will retail i carpet, vinyl, curtaining and major furniture items to i domestic and commercial customers. The furniture consists of dining room suites, lounge suites, bedroom suites — with bedding — and wall units. The commercial side of

the operation is something , the regional office is at presi ent in the process of setting up. It is to be a separate division that will concentrate mainly on floor covering. The special feature of the firm’s operation, from which it takes its name, is the 24hour in-home carpet buying service. A salesman will call at any time on request with a car full of carpet samples and will be happy to measure up, at no charge. Carpet Call customers have the advantage of being

able to decide on a major financial outlay in a relaxed way in their own homes. They see a wide range of carpet samples alongside the furniture and fittings the new purchase is meant to complement and in the actual lighting conditions it will have when fitted. All floor covering prices are stated in square metres so customers can make a rough estimate of their own requirements and avoid the confusion of mixing metric and imperial measurements.

Largely because of the size advantage, the prices Carpet Call can offer are highly competitive, and the latest computerised stock control system also contributes to efficiency and economy. Another reason for the price advantage is that in-the-home buying means much less stock needs to be carried at each of the linked shops. Each one in the new group draws from the bulk store located in Christchurch, alongside the area office. The computer control of stock allows rapid and effi-

cient despatch of goods as required. In addition, all the carpet ranges offered here by Carpet Call are exclusive as they are made in New Zealand to the specifications of the firm’s buying committee. Buying in bulk, Carpet Call is in a position to pick and choose and have carpet made in response to its experience of customer requirements and preferences. In this way, the organisation is buying for the public rather than selling for the manufacturers.