Argos has declared war on rivals such as Amazon by becoming the first to offer internet shoppers same-day delivery across the whole country. Charges imposed on customers can be very high and many firms, including Amazon and Tesco, have increased the minimum spend needed for their home delivery services.
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As retailers prepare for the US-inspired discount day at the end of November, Argos launched Fast Track delivery on 20,000 products from Wednesday.
Amazon Prime offers one hour delivery at £7 in London and Coventry to those who have paid the £79 annual subscription. Customers can order by 6pm to get an item delivered by 10pm the same day, while orders placed before midnight will be delivered between 7am-10am, or 10am-1pm the following day. Fast Track is available seven days a week all year round, with the exception being Christmas Day.
Argos has created new jobs for 3,300 drivers, who will operate 800 vans this Christmas season.
Speaking on the investment, Home Retail chief executive John Walden said: “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 United Kingdom consumers this Christmas and make their seasonal shopping speedier and easier than ever before”.
A total of 20,000 of the retailer’s 50,000 products were available under the scheme, which will cost users a flat delivery fee of £3.95 regardless of how much is spent. It will force other retailers to offer new delivery options and boost customer service or risk losing sales. ‘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’.
Bryan Roberts, senior vice-president and knowledge officer at Kantar Retail, said: “Delivery has emerged as one of the key battlegrounds for United Kingdom retailers, to allow customers to shop how and when they want on the same day”.
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Recently all the innovation in deliveries, bringing all those countless online orders to your door, has been happening at online retail giant Amazon.
