Asda to expand online business and launch click & collect pods
Asda has unveiled plans to grow its online business by expanding its home shopping and click and collect service over the next four years.
The plans include the acquisition of a fully automated ‘click and collect’ pod technology concept that will see orders delivered to a temperature controlled unit from where customers can collect their goods at their convenience. Developed in Holland and a first for the UK, the new pods will be trialled in early 2015.
Asda is also planning to increase the number of Click and Collect points from 400 to 600, expand its Drive-Thru Click and Collect points to 200 and expand same day Click and Collect services to 100 new sites to bring the total up to 350.
As well as investing in expanding its physical presence, the supermarket is also refining its online offer to make shopping easier for customers. Currently, Asda operates three online stores: Grocery Home Shopping, George.com for fashion and home, and Asda Direct for everything from books to garden furniture to kettles. However, from February 2015 80% of Asda Direct ranges will be merged into Asda’s Grocery Home Shopping and George.com online stores.
Never Miss a Retail Update!Asda president and chief executive Andy Clarke said: “In 2013 we set out a five year strategy to redefine value retailing – with a clear ambition to lead online. We’ve already made significant progress in this area and today’s announcement clearly demonstrates our commitment to step up our game even further.
“In what is still a challenging market, I am delighted that we are able to make an investment that will not only step on delivery of our strategy, but also bring new and convenient ways for our customers to shop with us.
“We’re also creating an online experience that logically fits with how our customers want to shop and focuses on the areas that our customers love. Ultimately, we want to give more people access to the price, quality and style that we are famous for.”
