In the first week of November this year, we launched, in partnership with Sofinco, a retail center called RIL Shopping. If you have visited these pages lately, you cannot have missed this information.
By performing a number of sales, in partnership with retailers who brought their warm enthusiasm along with their involvement, we have gained experience and knowledge that is truly unique because beyond our intuitions, our opinions or our beliefs, it is by trial and error that we have learned the most.
RIL Shopping, in its approach, keeps its promises. Retailers who participated are satisfied, nevertheless there are issues for improvement, of course, but they were aware of that in advance. And the results, especially for certain sales, are very considerable. A few thousand Euro were made, all sales included… which is very little in terms of e-Commerce, but still a great result in the given condition, that RIL Shopping is only opened for four hours in a day, while being within a reach of an audience that is way smaller than on the web.
Looking back at the first plan of this project, we had expected to have retail days until the 31st of December 2008, and that we would have obtained enough experience to take the next step. (Yes, of course there is a next step ) Now, by the encouragement of these remarkable results, we have decided to continue the exploitation of RIL Shopping in 2009, while we focus on various issues.
First of all, we will reduce the number of sales, based on a frequency of once per week. This decision is not linked to a lack of candidates, on the contrary: many shopkeepers are eager to give it a try, including participating in the costs of setting up systems inworld. The reason is that the hugh drive that we have adopted since the launch, does not leave us enough time between two sales, to produce as we would like. We have learned, and decided to implement improvements, for which we need the time between sales events.
In addition, we have decided to concentrate our efforts on two points.
The first issue of consideration, is to facilitate the user experience for all residents who come to purchase or to visit us. It is one of the permanent activities of any retailer -either online or physique- and we cannot escape from this basic rule. Some changes are already in place, such as the possibility of buying a product without the need of any HUD (Heads Up Device) or handling more complicated than a few clicks to validate details. It still needs improvement, but it is a great step forward and it brings a lot of convenience, even for a newcomer. A dozen others are subject to investigation or already taken in development, whether on the payment process, the presentation of products or the process of handling itself.
The second main subject to our attention is, to emphasize the impact of human presence in the device. The great strength of this marketing-model to sell a product in the virtual environment of Second Life, is to put the human being at the center of an easily accessible place inworld. Thus, the seller and the customer will be able to exchange freely on matters that affect them directly. Thus, among the good results we can state that the turnover is multiplied from 3 to 5 compared to competitive businesses and the turnover per customer has increased by 20 to 35%. The reception, the advice, the assistance with the purchase, but sometimes the retailers conviction because of her best understanding of the expectations of the potential customer; these are all part of the empowerment of the system. We will pay attention to this topic, and help human to take any possible place in RIL Shopping.
In spite of all, RIL Shopping is not a goal in itself! This is an important step, but just a stage in a larger process. We are prepared to host the first commercial, more sustainable settlements, such as to open stores in Second Life, where you can buy goods as you would do in a shop around the corner. Our technology is sufficiently mature and proven to consider Second Life as a territory in which you can add value, but also acquire what suits your needs. Of course, a brand or distributor must have the audacity, an open mind and he has to accept the challenge to launch a project like this… but it is as we innovate, we can all grow stronger and we will endure the current times of financial crisis.
We are talking about a very small place, populated by thousands of French and more than a million residents globally, both in Europe and the United States. The large majority of these residents are usually adults, have an income level that is slightly higher than the average household income for their country and have a strong involvement to what is happening in Second Life. This does not justify it, and I do not just for marketing purposes but for commercial purposes, to invest a few thousand euros in a digital store? If certain brands become established in small towns, they do so at a much higher cost and potential for a less important?
We observed with much attention the activities of the Boulanger team, when they created a store in Second Life. It was brave, positive and visionary and -most important-, by this it was also confirmed by others than us, that trade in the virtual universe has an incredible potential. Now we can go much further than that, and really open this new channel in relationship with the market, talking to customers and … TO SELL!
On personal note: David Castéra or I would be happy to share ideas and opinions with any retailer or manager of a product or brand who understands the possibilities, even if he has no particular project at hand. Over 50% of our time is devoted to conviction … and that is exciting!
Last Thursday, 6th November 2008 the long announced and long awaited opening of RIL Shopping in Second Life TM was a fact. This shop, at its first opening selling exclusive chocolate by D’lys Couleurs, is special compared to all other shops in Second Life, because real goods are sold in stead of just goods in pixels. The chocolate purchased at RIL Shopping will be delivered to the customers door within a few days. This very new step in e-commerce will be the first in a new way of shopping on distance.
Compared to all other webshops that have been known until now, RIL Shopping is the first to open its doors in the 3D web environment of Second Life ™, and where all goods can be seen in their real, 3D shape.
And while the customer is making his or her visit in the shop, a shop-assistant is always around to assist. These shop-assistants, who have been trained specially for RIL Shopping, can help each customer personally with his or her choice, but also guide in the registration, which must be done on the RIL Shopping website as well as at RIL Shopping in world.
This personal attention to every customer is one of the reasons why RIL Shopping is special.
Shopping on distance, both in the well known webshops as well as in the virtual environment of Second Life, has never taken the place of ‘real’ or better: physical shops and will never mean to take over either.
Shopping, as a social way for people of spending quality time, will never be replaced by shopping on the internet or even in Second Life. At the other hand, shopping on the internet has turned out to be a great improvement for people who are disabled and therefor not able to go out shopping if they need or want to. The same goes for people who live in rural places who have to travel a long distance to do their shoppings in ‘real’ or physical shops. The market that has been opened, also to these groups, is enormous and the only thing needed is a computer with internet connection.
Although the improvements are great, the one thing that is still missing in webshops, is the personal attention that gives the customer the social perception that changes shopping into spending quality-time.
And this high valued quality is another reason why RIL Shopping in Second Life is special. It adds quality-time to shopping on the internet.
To make RIL Shopping really work, and especially with high quality products against considerable discount, the main challenge now is to convince the residents of Second Life and explain to them that it is easy and efficient to shop at RIL Shopping and that they will really have a delivery after their purchase.
This is the challenge that the initiating teams of Stonfield Inworld and credit bank Sofinco are facing right now.
RIL Shopping, managed for Stonfield InWorld by Richard Malterre, is not opened 24/7 like other, common webshops. This makes it possible to provide personal attention and service to every customer. Opening hours will be announced in advance at RIL Shopping in Second Life, as well as on the website, www.ril-shopping.com together with the specialties that will be offered for sale.
The very next sales, only available for residents who live in France, Belgium or Luxembourg, of special and exclusive wines by Château Labastidié, will be on the 12th of November from 17.00 to 21.00 CET. On the third opening day, the 14th of November from 17.00 to 21.00 CET, exclusive and high-quality gifts provided by Bagatelles.fr will be offered for sale in RIL Shopping against considerable discount.
Written by Pierre-Olivier Carles (17 October 2008)
Virtual Worlds uses, both for business and private life, are rocking, but the main part of our planet doesn’t know it. It could be the best kept secret in the world.
That’s the reason why we decided to make this movie. We want to evangelize et help people understanding why and how the Internet 3D (may be Second Life & OpenSim ?!?) could change the way companies are working and people are living…
Written by Pierre-Olivier Carles (15 October 2008)
Hello World ! Today, we are thrilled to announce we are launching RIL Shopping, to give the third dimension to e-Commerce and bring it in Virtual Worlds, starting with Second Life !
We have worked hard on this project… but not alone. RIL Shopping has been created in partnership with Sofinco, one the leading consumer credit establishment in Europe (20 countries and more than 17 Millions clients) who works hard too with our team.
In few words, resident will be able soon to buy in Second Life goodies, sportswear, wine, cars (Yes, real cars that you can really drive :-)), Geek stuff, and many more real goods…
What’s new ? An incredible thing ! You’ll have all the benefits of traditional e-Commerce on the web 2D but with the advices, warm welcome, support of a real salesperson (behind his or her avatar, of course !).
Please have a glance to the Press Release and you will understand what’s happening
***
For nearly 2 years, the company Stonfield InWorld has invested in a comprehensive program of research and development to build a new sales channel that combines into a single format: easy access to offerings of e-commerce, proximity of commercial advice on offerings and the ability to offer financing.
With its expertise in virtual worlds, today Stonfield InWorld announces the creation of RIL SHOPPING in Second Life, in partnership with SOFINCO.
The official opening of this new space will take place on 6 November with a sale of outstanding “real” products.
A new way to sell and buy online: “RIL SHOPPING does not replace local shops, the vast
distribution or e-commerce trade” says Pierre-Olivier Carles, co-founder of Stonfield InWorld.
“It adds to existing channels a new way to sell and purchase online. The brands, distributors and / or merchants regardless of their types of offers can offer their products while providing their customer service levels close to the local shops.”
To be opened on 6 November, this unique space in Second Life will allow each brand to meet the expectations of Internet users in online sales: quality products at exceptional prices, the possibility of being informed directly on each product and the offers of consumer credit.
Organized as a private sale, RIL SHOPPING differentiates itself by its ability to accompany each resident during an online purchase, for his advice and assistance but also by the possibility of offering loans for consumption thanks to the presence of SOFINCO consultants.
The presence of a sales-assistant helps to improve the processing rate from 5 to 10 depending on the type of product, RIL SHOPPING offers businesses wishing to change their sales quickly, sales-formats by private, objective and adjusted terms for 4 hours in a few days.
Needless to be an expert in computer science to facilitate a sale in RIL SHOPPING; experts are in charge of Stonfield InWorld and the full development of the virtual shop and they will also accompany the specialist who will guide visitors.
The establishment of this new virtual space by Stonfield InWorld answered the need to be totally in tune with the market. It aims to serve customers better, and offers new opportunities for businesses through a economic potential.
Economic size: Linden Lab, Second Life publisher identified 771 536 French users to 31 December 2007, with an average age of 34 years and “more than average” revenues.
The desire for development and innovation has succeeded in finding an ambitious partner:
SOFINCO, a leading consumer credit establishment in Europe and the pioneer in financing for e-commerce has the strong belief that the Virtual Universe represents a true revolution in online commerce.
SOFINCO teams have worked with those of STONFIELD INWORLD to bring the shopping experience for residents of Second Life to a level of unmatched service and quality.
To learn more (but in French, sorry :-)) : the blog of RIL SHOPPING: www.ril-shopping.com/blog
About Stonfield InWorld:
This company, settled in Oloron Sainte-Marie
(Pyrenees Atlantiques), also based in Neuilly sur Seine and Toulouse, became in a short time a player in the market for virtual worlds (Second Life, There.com, OpenSim, Multiverse). It offers businesses of all sizes and all sectors, comprehensive solutions for integrating Internet and virtual worlds in their development strategy.
Member of the Linden Lab’s Solution Provider Program, Stonfield InWorld also focused part of its efforts to research and development on sale online (e-commerce) and training (e-learning) to make two poles of growth with high added value for its clients on Virtual Worlds.
In September 2007, Crédit Agricole entered the capital Stonfield InWorld and became the largest shareholder. Clients of the consultancy and service are companies like Réunica, the Navy, ENST Bretagne, Suez Environment, Saint Gobain Glass, IBM, Sofinco, Alvarez & Marsal, Intersport…
About Sofinco:
SOFINCO, a subsidiary of Credit Agricole SA is a leading consumer credit establishment in Europe with 17.6 million customers. Present in 20 countries, SOFINCO makes 60% of its turnover abroad and is experiencing a sharp increase in its activity.
Sofinco is dominant in all trades of credit to the Consumer direct sales, financing at the point of sale (Equipment Market home markets for recreational vehicles), partnerships.
Sofinco has developed partnerships with major retailers and distribution of many institutions.
Visuals pdf format high definition are sent on request from the press service
PRESS CONTACT STONFIELD INWORLD and SOFINCO:
Virginia Heuzé - Florence Gillier Communication –
virginieh@fgcom.fr / tel: +33 1 41 18 85 55
Since launching Stonfield InWorld last year, we have definitively decided to communicate for real with you (the World), and not only send press releases about the company news.
Stonfield InWorld is a French agency specializing in Virtual Worlds.
More than just saying what we do, we wanted to tell you more about our culture and our values, to share some interesting stuff directly from our labs, to challenge our ideas, to present some business cases and the amazing projects we’re creating for our clients, …
And we did it !
But in French
As most of the people involved in Virtual Worlds do not speak French as we do, we thought about two solutions : You have to learn French or we have to blog in English.
After many months of meetings and conference calls to decide which one of these two solutions would be the most efficient, we decided to launch this blog.
But to get you started, you may need some keywords to subscribe to this blog ?
RIL Shopping, in its approach, keeps its promises. Retailers who participated are satisfied, nevertheless there are issues for improvement, of course, but they were aware of that in advance. And the results, especially for certain sales, are very considerable. A few thousand Euro were made, all sales included… which is very little in terms of e-Commerce, but still a great result in the given condition, that RIL Shopping is only opened for four hours in a day, while being within a reach of an audience that is way smaller than on the web.
) Now, by the encouragement of these remarkable results, we have decided to continue the exploitation of RIL Shopping in 2009, while we focus on various issues.
The first issue of consideration, is to facilitate the user experience for all residents who come to purchase or to visit us. It is one of the permanent activities of any retailer -either online or physique- and we cannot escape from this basic rule. Some changes are already in place, such as the possibility of buying a product without the need of any HUD (Heads Up Device) or handling more complicated than a few clicks to validate details. It still needs improvement, but it is a great step forward and it brings a lot of convenience, even for a newcomer. A dozen others are subject to investigation or already taken in development, whether on the payment process, the presentation of products or the process of handling itself.
We are talking about a very small place, populated by thousands of French and more than a million residents globally, both in Europe and the United States. The large majority of these residents are usually adults, have an income level that is slightly higher than the average household income for their country and have a strong involvement to what is happening in Second Life. This does not justify it, and I do not just for marketing purposes but for commercial purposes, to invest a few thousand euros in a digital store? If certain brands become established in small towns, they do so at a much higher cost and potential for a less important?
Hi there !