Buy Local, Shop Online... at Rochdale's new online department store

 

The new Rochdale Online Department Store has been launched:

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/store

The store brings local retailers together as a collective and enables the residents of the borough to buy online and yet shop local, the convenience of online shopping but with the benefit of supporting local retailers and keeping money in the local economy.

The goods on offer will include baby, children’s, women’s and men’s wear, jewellery, DIY products, books, art and crafts, school and work uniforms, gifts and fancy goods, carpets/rugs/flooring, furniture and household goods, photography equipment, bridal/prom dresses, haberdashery, disability products, car parts and accessories, flowers, sweets, cakes and meat packs.

Retailers include: Denis Hope, Brides of Rochdale, 25 Ten Boutique, Leading Ladies, CJ's Baby Boutique, Pennine Photographic & Binocular Centre, HiCo Ltd, Home & More, Buttons Haberdashery, Lancashire Wallpaper & Paint Co, GSG Carpet Factory Shop, George Kelsall Booksellers, Beads from the Art, Blue Rose Gifts & Balloons, The Little Art Gallery, Geoff Butterworth Fine Arts, Elite Framing, Liquid Wall Art, FMC Design Factory, Amber Pet Supplies, Sweet & Yummy Gifts, Brown's Handcrafted Cakes, Against the Wall Vinyl Stickers, Abbey Architectural Ironmongery Company, Concept Care, Heywood Accessories and Spares, Lola Ashleigh, M24 Arts.

Managing Director of Rochdale Online, Pauline Journeaux said: "High Street retailers have seen a significant downturn in the past few years and Rochdale has suffered more than most towns. One of the main reasons is the upward trend in customers buying online, and online shopping will account for at least a third of UK retail commerce by 2022. Local retailers have to adapt to survive and Rochdale Online’s technical expertise, established relationships with local businesses and massive local audience, makes it uniquely placed to offer this community based e-commerce platform for the borough. For the first time local residents will be able to ‘Buy Online, Shop Local’ in a one stop local store."

The development of the store has been backed by Rochdale Borough Council, and Ms Journeaux added: "I would like to thank the Council for recognising the exciting vision we had of a 'digital High Street' for the borough and for their grant support for the development."

Council Leader Richard Farnell said: “This is a fantastic initiative from Rochdale Online and is just the shot-in-the-arm our local retail offer needs. Rochdale has some great shops, but like everywhere, they have been adversely affected by the recession and the growth of online shopping.

"Many shops need an online presence and this new initiative will help local shoppers buy online and shop local. Shoppers outside the borough will be able to see ‘the very best of Rochdale retail in one place’.

"I am pleased Rochdale Council was able to support this venture which helps our local businesses compete with the big guys.”

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/store