Woodie’s Partners With Virtualstock To Expand Online Reach

• Virtualstock provides faster supplier onboarding, increased convenience and broader product discovery
• Partnership underpins Woodie’s strategy to lead in omni-channel DIY, Home and Garden retail across 35+ stores nationwide 

Woodie’s, Ireland’s leading DIY, Home and Garden retailer, has partnered with Virtualstock, the range extension platform, to scale its online product offering and deliver a richer customer experience. The collaboration has already seen Woodie’s expand its product range by 10% in the first quarter since going live, with a further 10,000 products set to go live in the coming months. 

By integrating Virtualstock’s user-friendly dropshipping and supplier management tools, Woodie’s can now onboard suppliers faster and more efficiently, cutting time to market whilst increasing choice. The partnership is central to Woodie’s ambition to lead in omni-channel retail, offering customers an even wider selection of products both online and in-store. 

Customers are already seeing the benefits with hundreds more orders processed each month, improved returns via Drop2Shop integration and easier access to new product categories. The returns process is also more convenient, with customers now able to return online purchases via QR code at any of Woodie’s 35+ stores nationwide, enhancing the post-purchase journey and brand loyalty. 

“At Woodie’s, our mission is to be Ireland’s leading omni-channel DIY, Home and Garden retailer,” said Damien Dwyer, CEO, Woodie’s. “Our partnership with Virtualstock is a key part of that journey, enabling us to rapidly expand our product catalogue and offer customers more choice and flexibility than ever before. Virtualstock also allows us to bring new products and brands to market quickly, helping us stay ahead in delivering the variety and convenience our customers expect as market leaders.” 

Ed Bradley, CEO, Virtualstock, added, “People are shopping online more than ever before – Ireland leads this trend, with 96% of internet users making online purchases last year. Purchasing home, furniture, and garden accessories online is on the rise. We want Woodie’s to be able to capitalise on that – giving them the tools to stay one step ahead of shifting demand. 

Woodie’s has experienced an impressive 10% range uplift in the first quarter, and there’s lots more where that came from. Strategic range expansion is the fastest, smartest way to meet customer demand without overextending operations, and it’s a clear example of how smart technology can unlock scalable growth.” 

Woodie’s is the latest in a growing cohort of major retailers investing in technology-first range expansion. With demand shifting fast and consumer confidence still recovering, giving customers more choice, without the stock risk, has become a strategic imperative.

Source : Woodie's / Virtualstock

For all the very latest news and intelligence on the UK's largest home improvement and garden retailers, sign up for the Insight DIY weekly newsletter.