Online shopping offers the convenience of getting what you want, when you want it, without having to drive to a physical store. However, there can be shipping costs involved that may dissuade your purchase, and you can't always predict when you'll receive the product or if extreme weather might mess up your delivery. Not to mention, you don't get the added benefit of socialization, which can take place when you actually visit a shopping center.
Enter the click-and-collect option.
With many online retailers interested in expanding their multichannel sales operations--click-and-collect offers the convenience of online shopping without the hassles of paying for shipping. Additionally, you can choose when and where you want to pick up your item.
This gives retailers the ability to increase their foot traffic, and it gives consumers a guarantee that their item will be in stock and in store. Currently, Amazon.com is experimenting with click-and-collect allowing shoppers the choice to pick up their purchases from designated Amazon lockers set in convenience stores such as 7-11 or Rite-Aid. All you have to do is enter your Amazon code, and your package will be in your specified locker. To date, Amazon has lockers operating in California, New York, Washington State and the UK, with plans for continued nationwide expansion.
If you travel often or don't like paying extra for shipping--click-and-collect may be for you. This opportunity has taken off in the UK, for example, more than 900 Tesco stores already provide click-and-collect privileges with more to come. Shoppers can purchase groceries online, select a time frame to pick them up, and they will be bagged and ready to go at their designated collection point. You can also choose whether or not you prefer to bring your own bags.
Carrie Bienkowski, head of buyer experience at eBay, said to Marketing Week that click-and-collect is “the future of retail” highlighting the importance the online marketplace puts on multichannel. Bienkowski said: “We know that shopping more and more is about convenience. People want to be able to shop any where any time on any device and channel but what were also seeing is that its not just an offline versus online question. More and more it’s blurring and that’s part of the thing we’re showcasing today with some of the augmented reality tools.”
Furthermore, returns become a lot more convenient when you can do them in-store. And, sometimes, viewing something in-person can provide more insight over looking at something online. How many times have you had to return a product because its picture was just too good to be true? Click-and-collect saves time, while letting you see and feel the product during its purchase. While click-and-collect may not be for everyone, it's certainly nice not to have to worry about missing deliveries at home.
Enter the click-and-collect option.
With many online retailers interested in expanding their multichannel sales operations--click-and-collect offers the convenience of online shopping without the hassles of paying for shipping. Additionally, you can choose when and where you want to pick up your item.
This gives retailers the ability to increase their foot traffic, and it gives consumers a guarantee that their item will be in stock and in store. Currently, Amazon.com is experimenting with click-and-collect allowing shoppers the choice to pick up their purchases from designated Amazon lockers set in convenience stores such as 7-11 or Rite-Aid. All you have to do is enter your Amazon code, and your package will be in your specified locker. To date, Amazon has lockers operating in California, New York, Washington State and the UK, with plans for continued nationwide expansion.
If you travel often or don't like paying extra for shipping--click-and-collect may be for you. This opportunity has taken off in the UK, for example, more than 900 Tesco stores already provide click-and-collect privileges with more to come. Shoppers can purchase groceries online, select a time frame to pick them up, and they will be bagged and ready to go at their designated collection point. You can also choose whether or not you prefer to bring your own bags.
Carrie Bienkowski, head of buyer experience at eBay, said to Marketing Week that click-and-collect is “the future of retail” highlighting the importance the online marketplace puts on multichannel. Bienkowski said: “We know that shopping more and more is about convenience. People want to be able to shop any where any time on any device and channel but what were also seeing is that its not just an offline versus online question. More and more it’s blurring and that’s part of the thing we’re showcasing today with some of the augmented reality tools.”
Furthermore, returns become a lot more convenient when you can do them in-store. And, sometimes, viewing something in-person can provide more insight over looking at something online. How many times have you had to return a product because its picture was just too good to be true? Click-and-collect saves time, while letting you see and feel the product during its purchase. While click-and-collect may not be for everyone, it's certainly nice not to have to worry about missing deliveries at home.
Please login to post.