Hancocks launches new website

The confectionery wholesaler Hancocks has launched a new website to improve the shopping experience for retailers.

The business has made a significant investment in the latest eCommerce technology to further improve the customer browsing and purchasing process with faster loading speeds, mobile optimisation and personalisation.

The wholesaler launched its online offering in the 2000s and saw unprecedented growth during the Covid 19 pandemic.

Now more than 50 percent of its purchases are made online with retailers having the option to click and collect at one of the 14 wholesale stores across the UK or having their order delivered.

With feedback from customers, Hancocks has designed the new site with their customer needs in mind and the understanding they’re looking for a website which is quick and easy to use, is tailored to their business and how they want to shop. 

Over 75 percent of customers now order on their mobile and customers can seamlessly swap between a desktop computer or mobile, whether they are basket building in store, in the office, or at home. 

The benefits of the updated site include loading speeds that are up to four times faster which will allow retailers to efficiently search, browse and add products to their basket. Searching for new products will also be smoother with faster, more powerful search functionality.

New features have been introduced to provide a personalised experience, with bespoke product recommendations to help retailers drive sales and profits. 

There is also a new notification feature which means customers can request alerts when in-demand products are available to buy online.

Popular features customers currently enjoy have been kept including order tracking, saving favourite products and being able to view previous orders.

The site, which is aimed at independent and convenience retailers, sweetshops, resellers, and leisure industries, showcases over 3,500 product lines.

They include popular ranges like Kingsway pick and mix range, Bonds and Crazy Candy Factory, plus confectionery retailers from the US and around the world including Pez, Warheads, Sour Punch, and Anthon Berg.

Gareth Walbyoff, eCommerce Director at Hancocks said: “We’re delighted with the updated website and its improved functionality.

As the UK’s leading confectionery wholesaler, we have made a significant investment to ensure it offers our customers a smooth and personalised customer journey and at the same time showcases the wide range of brands and innovative confectionery we stock.

Feedback from customers has been important in improving its function and we’ve used cutting-edge technologies to make that happen.

We now have an even faster, more reliable platform that supports the growth of Hancocks and will offer our customers a great shopping experience from their desktop or mobile.”

Hancocks is the one-stop shop for confectionery for over 25,000 independent retailers and is part of the World of Sweets group.