Last week, Argos became the first UK retailer to offer same-day store collection, and same-day home delivery, for nearly 20,000 products across the UK.
The new service is called Fast Track. Customers can see Fast Track items clearly online, purchase them, and choose to either collect them from a local store or schedule a same-day or next-day delivery slot.
Customers choosing Fast Track Collection can collect their products from 800 Argos store locations nationwide, at specially-marked Fast Track Collection counters, and is free.
Customers choosing Fast Track Delivery can select from four home delivery slots: 7am-10am, 10am-1pm, 2pm-6pm and 7pm-10pm, seven days a week including Sunday. Customers can order by 6pm to have an item delivered by 10pm the same day, or schedule a convenient time on the next day or future days. The delivery fee is only £3.95.
Argos has created new jobs for 3300 drivers, who will operate the 800 liveried Argos vans across the UK this Christmas. Up to 1000 drivers are currently being recruited for the busy period.
Fast Track Collection and Fast Track Delivery are possible because of infractstructure developments Argos has been making during the past two years to its stocking, distribution and digital systems, such as the ‘hub & spoke’ stocking model it deployed in stores last year.
John Walden, chief executive, Home Retail Group, says: “As customers increasingly shop from online and mobile shopping channels, they are increasingly sensitive to the speed and cost of obtaining their products. Argos has always been known for convenience, and is uniquely positioned with its national network of stores and distribution centres to provide customers with the best options to fulfil their digital orders. We are pleased to introduce Fast Track Collection and Fast Track Delivery, which represents the fastest, cheapest and most convenient way for customers to purchase their goods online. We hope Fast Track will help UK consumers this Christmas and make their seasonal shopping speedier and easier than ever before.”
