Screwfix developing browse-only option for website
Order problems continue at DIY retailer
Online DIY retailer Screwfix.com is developing a browse-only version of its website to overcome the need to shut down completely when order numbers overwhelm the business.
The Kingfisher-owned specialist hardware retailer continues to have trouble fulfilling orders as it works to train staff and bring its new Stoke-on-Trent warehouse fully on line.
Currently, when the business reaches its capacity for next-day delivery, the site is shut down, meaning customers are unable to browse the products on offer.
With Screwfix closed to orders once again by lunchtime on Tuesday, a message on the site from managing director John Allan said that many customers have suggested “that it would be better for you if we could keep the website available for browsing, order tracking and the like, and simply disable the order submission function at times when we have no capacity left.
“I agree – it would be much better. We are developing and testing a solution and expect to be able to make that change within the next two weeks.”
Screwfix is currently dispatching more than 15,000 orders a day, with both demand and the number of orders being fulfilled still rising. Allan told customers the company is “working as hard as possible to bring the warehouse up to the level needed to keep the website open for orders at all times. We continue to make good progress.”
