Wools of New Zealand Calls for India FTA to Boost Farmer Returns
Wools of New Zealand is joining calls for New Zealand to urgently ratify a Free Trade Agreement with India.
The website is designed to support customers from first look to final installation, with online browsing, samples delivered to the door, an indicative ‘supply-and-install’ quote, and a free in-home installer visit to confirm measurements.
A room visualiser also enables customers to see how different colours and styles will look in their own space before purchasing.
“Online retail has expanded worldwide and is working well for our customers around the globe,” McWhirter told Rural News.
He says that with 90% of New Zealand wool sold overseas, Wools of New Zealand needs a global focus.
“Establishing an online service allows us to scale the business in line with the way consumers increasingly shop.”
McWhirter says that Laneve is competitively priced against synthetic flooring, depending on the product.
“Customers can choose options at different price points to suit their needs and budget. Importantly, they can browse a broad range of wool carpets and make an informed choice,” he says.
He says that Laneve makes purchasing carpet simpler and more transparent.
“In a bricks-and-mortar store, customers can sometimes leave without a clear understanding of the total cost,” McWhirter says. “With Laneve, customers can visit the website, get answers to their questions, explore the range and see indicative fully fitted prices, without feeling under any obligation.”
He says Wools of New Zealand is still committed to its existing retailer network, ranging from retailers that order and sell Wools of New Zealand carpets to major retailers offering an exclusive branded range.
“To ensure clear separation, Laneve has its own product range, which is distinct from the other brands owned and sold through the retailers by Wools of New Zealand.”
McWhirter adds that the value flowing back to farmers needs to be considered in the context of the wider wool industry.
“Wool has struggled to achieve satisfactory prices over the past decade, as part of a decline dating back about 40 years,” he says.
McWhirter says that the issue was that wool supply exceeded demand, driving prices down.
