Michael Hill partnered with global payments platform, Adyen, to implement its Pay by Link technology to support remote sales and facilitate the redeployment of store staff while stores across Australia, New Zealand and Canada were closed due to COVID-19.

Michael Hill wanted to maintain its connection with customers during lockdown. To complement its strong online store, the jewelry chain needed a solution that would take payments directly from other channels like newsletters, shoppable catalogues, and virtual appointments.

Michael Hill CIO, Matt Keays swiftly engaged Adyen to adapt and roll out Pay by Link technology to take customer payments via any contact channel in a convenient, personal and secure manner, while ensuring each store could recognise individual sales.

“Pay by Link went live in just over a week and provided a variety of new sales channels for our stores – a fantastic result in such challenging times. It’s really helped us continue to deliver personalised jewellery experiences across this period,” Michael Hill chief operating officer, Andrea Slingsby said.

Michael Hill has seen a significant boost in sales from its digital business, with late April and early May sales outperforming the prior record digital sales week from Christmas 2019.

Adyen Australia and New Zealand country manager, Michel van Aalten said using Pay by Link is quick, secure, simple, and allows merchants to maintain the personal interactions that have helped them build customer loyalty.

“Pay by Link has been a lifeline for retailers who needed to pivot their sales strategy after their brick-and-mortar stores closed during the lockdown,” van Aalten said.