Argos apes Amazon and introduces same-day home delivery
Argos is set to introduce a new same-day home delivery service as is it looks to "bring shopping into the digital age".
The Fast Track service will run seven days a week with around 20,000 products eligible for order. Delivery will take place during one of four allocated slots everyday and customers who order by 6pm can get an item delivered by 10pm the same day. Orders placed before midnight will be delivered between 7am-10am, or 10am–1pm the following day.
John Walden, chief executive of Argos owner Home Retail Group said: “Argos led the way with click & collect 15 years ago – and customers can continue to shop with us in the traditional ways if they choose to. But we believe Fast Track is the next big innovation and brings shopping into the digital age for customers, allowing them to get up to 20,000 products in their hands faster than ever before. No other retailer can offer the breadth of products immediately or at that speed.”
Delivery is becoming a key weapon for UK retailers as customers increasingly look for convenient options that allow them to shop how and when they want. Amazon has already tapped into this with the launch of a one-hour delivery for its Prime members.
Bryan Roberts, SVP and knowledge ffficer for EMEA at Kantar Retail added that the service will push Argos apart from its competitors but warned of a "sprint finish" to make good on the promise.
“In terms of customers being able to order online as late as 6pm and receive products on their doorstep that evening, Argos is showing its rivals a clean pair of heels with this new speedy nationwide service. While having the right offer at the right price will be crucial as ever this Christmas, there will also be a sprint finish on the nation’s roads to deliver the goods the same or next day.”
Fast Track has created 3300 jobs at the retailer.