Asos, the fast-growing clothing retailer, has been talking to a number of retailers, including chemist chain Alliance Boots, about allowing customers to collect their orders at Boots stores to avoid the frustration of missed deliveries.
The Aim-listed business is trying to find ways of improving its service without having to open stores. Alliance Boots, which is increasingly teaming up with fellow retailers – such as Mothercare and Waitrose – to bring more brands into its stores, is thought to have held informal talks with Asos. Retailers have also suggested that WH Smith and Argos might be in the frame., although Asos has refused to comment on any potential partners.
The driver behind this is more and more of the high street retailers are offering in-store pick-up, ever since Argos introduced “click and collect”.
It is a proven successful model that attracts higher spending customers. The reliance of online-only retailers has long been seen as a deterrent for some shoppers; but the perceived barrier seems to be slowly dropping away.
Any tie-up would likely be with a retailer that is not a direct competitor but would still benefit from extra footfall from Asos customers who are typically fashion-focused women between the ages of 16 and 34.
We have had our own ebay operation for some time now; and from time to time, customers do ask if they can pick up from our warehouse. This has been a problem for some time in the e-commerce world. But something like this could work, because it provides mutual benefit.
Perhaps something similar could be of benefit to your own e-commerce operation? Allowing customers to pick up from your office or from other companies that you do business with. Anything that could help the customer must always be considered!