Bolton’s Office National on the front foot with coronavirus.

 

One of Australia’s largest independent office supplies dealers has taken a number of steps to lessen the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.

 

Bendigo-based Bolton’s Office National, which also has a newly-relocated outlet in Ballarat, has seen substantial downturns in several areas of its business while recording strong sales in others.

 

General manager and director Rod McCredden (pictured) told Office Products News that the company realised early on that it had to go on the “front foot” to meet the coronavirus challenge.

 

“We laid off all our casuals – around 14 of them – and moved all staff to a four-day week,” he said. “However, when the government’s JobKeeper program was announced, we went back to full-time work and recalled some eligible casuals.”

 

The company also placed more emphasis on its online operations and pro-actively expanded its customer service desk.

 

The company also created a dedicated ‘work-from-home’ catalogue and introduced an enhanced residential delivery service.

 

Store foot traffic has declined by about 70 per cent since the restrictions on people movement were introduced.

 

One department to take a big hit was the company’s extensive print operations, which serviced many of the region’s café, restaurants and small businesses such as hair salons. 

 

“We do a lot of menus, business cards, appointment cards and the like and this side of the business took a tumble – down by about half,” he said.

 

“Workwear and hospitality are sluggish: he said, “but B2B industrial sales are strong and healthcare has done well.”