An online womenswear shop backed by Sir Terry Leahy is poised to relaunch its website this month after drafting in several former Asos staff for a major growth push.
Former Asos finance director and international boss John Kamaluddin has been appointed executive chairman while Sally-Anne Newson, Asos business development director until last month, has been drafted in as CEO.
Newly appointed creative director Becky Leeson, who left Asos last year, has been appointed creative director.
Newson told Vogue.com she wanted turnover to be £100 million by 2020 and that Germany and France were 'obvious first choices' to grow the brand internationally.
Atterley Road, co-founded by Katie Starmer-Smith and her business partner Edward David, received an additional £2 million funding last year. Investors include former Tesco chief executive Leahy, Kamaluddin, former Best Buy executive Bob Willett, serial ecommerce investment fund William Currie and fund manager Artemis.
Starmer-Smith, a former buyer at Jigsaw, will become buying director.
Other plans include further development of the site's own label and a new name for the business which is expected to be revealed later this month.
Wednesday, 6 May 2015
Sunday, 26 April 2015
EXCLUSIVE: Is Mike Ashley Returning To His Roots With MegaValueDirect.com?
Barely a day goes by without Sports Direct's founder Mike Ashley doing something that raises our eyebrows here at The Hawker. Now he appears to be launching a brand new web site.
Ashley and his firm have made a lot of hay over the last five or six years while the internet sun has shone. SportsDirect.com has been boosted by sales which have benefited to the top line sales growth of the UK business. But we also suspect that sales to overseas shoppers have helped inflate the business too (and informed his overseas stores acquisition plan).
So it came as no surprise when we learnt two of his directors Dave Forsey, Sports Direct's chief executive (although, let's be honest, we all know Ashley is the driving force behind the business) and Karen Buyers have registered a new company and domain name MegaValueDirect.com.
We hear they originally wanted MegaValue.com but it looks like that's already been registered by someone else.
One theory we've discussed with our retail market sources is this: after two or three years of bashing away at the higher price-point branded market (with USC and Republic - which have both had, let's say, mixed fortunes) and the premium branded market (which he trades in via upmarket outlets Cruise and Flannels), there's a desire within the business to turn back to what they're really good at.
Mike and Sports Direct have always been traders. That's not to say we haven't been impressed with what we've seen at the USC store on Oxford Street - but, like we say, the fortunes have been mixed and meaningful returns perhaps some way off. Piling it high and selling it cheap is where the company's heart and core-competency lies.
What exactly he's going to be flogging on MegaValueDirect.com, we don't know yet. Clothes presumably but will it stop there? With such a generic site name the possibilities are endless.
The other theory, and not as colourful but perhaps more likely, is that it will just serve as an outlet store for his and other retailers' products (he's already an investor in Aussie 'flash sale' and outlet site MySale).
And it couldn't be clearer what the MegaValueDirect.com site is offering in terms of price. As ever, we watch Mike Ashley's next move with interest.
Ashley and his firm have made a lot of hay over the last five or six years while the internet sun has shone. SportsDirect.com has been boosted by sales which have benefited to the top line sales growth of the UK business. But we also suspect that sales to overseas shoppers have helped inflate the business too (and informed his overseas stores acquisition plan).
So it came as no surprise when we learnt two of his directors Dave Forsey, Sports Direct's chief executive (although, let's be honest, we all know Ashley is the driving force behind the business) and Karen Buyers have registered a new company and domain name MegaValueDirect.com.
We hear they originally wanted MegaValue.com but it looks like that's already been registered by someone else.
One theory we've discussed with our retail market sources is this: after two or three years of bashing away at the higher price-point branded market (with USC and Republic - which have both had, let's say, mixed fortunes) and the premium branded market (which he trades in via upmarket outlets Cruise and Flannels), there's a desire within the business to turn back to what they're really good at.
Mike and Sports Direct have always been traders. That's not to say we haven't been impressed with what we've seen at the USC store on Oxford Street - but, like we say, the fortunes have been mixed and meaningful returns perhaps some way off. Piling it high and selling it cheap is where the company's heart and core-competency lies.
What exactly he's going to be flogging on MegaValueDirect.com, we don't know yet. Clothes presumably but will it stop there? With such a generic site name the possibilities are endless.
The other theory, and not as colourful but perhaps more likely, is that it will just serve as an outlet store for his and other retailers' products (he's already an investor in Aussie 'flash sale' and outlet site MySale).
And it couldn't be clearer what the MegaValueDirect.com site is offering in terms of price. As ever, we watch Mike Ashley's next move with interest.
Thursday, 8 May 2014
Homebase Launches New Site With 'More Inspiration'
Home improvement chain Homebase has relaunched its website after a surge in internet sales over the past year.
The site, which launched last week, is easier to navigate with improved functionality and more advice and ideas for shoppers, the company said. It has more than 50 videos to help gardeners and DIY enthusiasts with tips including advice on how to lay turf and put up wallpaper.
Sales at the website increased 53% in the year to March 1, before the launch of the new site. It now represents 7% of sales at the chain. Homebase parent Home Retail said last week that sales at the chain increased 3% in the year and 3.3% on a like-for-like basis.
Homebase director of multi-channel Siobhan Fitzpatrick said: 'We know that nearly 40% of our customers start looking for ideas online before visiting us in store. That's why we have developed a new website to start to provide more support, help and inspiration around the key home and garden projects.'
Shoppers are also now able to search by brand, save a 'love list' of their favourite products and compare products to help make decisions. Fitzpatrick said Homebase has also simplified the checkout process to make it easier to arrange home delivery and Reserve & Collect in one transaction 'to offer more flexibility than ever'.
She said Homebase used IBM WSC7 platform and the Aurora starter store which she said has 'put us in good shape for the next phase of a chain of new digital developments over the coming months'.
She added: 'We have a great deal to look forward to, including new apps, more video content and delivery options, as well as better visibility of pricing and stock.'
Home Retail said last week it had increase sales at traffic on the site after increased investment and the introduction of improved delivery options that offers next day delivery, named day delivery or collection at stores. It also introduced wi-fi into stores.
The site, which launched last week, is easier to navigate with improved functionality and more advice and ideas for shoppers, the company said. It has more than 50 videos to help gardeners and DIY enthusiasts with tips including advice on how to lay turf and put up wallpaper.
Sales at the website increased 53% in the year to March 1, before the launch of the new site. It now represents 7% of sales at the chain. Homebase parent Home Retail said last week that sales at the chain increased 3% in the year and 3.3% on a like-for-like basis.
Homebase director of multi-channel Siobhan Fitzpatrick said: 'We know that nearly 40% of our customers start looking for ideas online before visiting us in store. That's why we have developed a new website to start to provide more support, help and inspiration around the key home and garden projects.'
Shoppers are also now able to search by brand, save a 'love list' of their favourite products and compare products to help make decisions. Fitzpatrick said Homebase has also simplified the checkout process to make it easier to arrange home delivery and Reserve & Collect in one transaction 'to offer more flexibility than ever'.
She said Homebase used IBM WSC7 platform and the Aurora starter store which she said has 'put us in good shape for the next phase of a chain of new digital developments over the coming months'.
She added: 'We have a great deal to look forward to, including new apps, more video content and delivery options, as well as better visibility of pricing and stock.'
Home Retail said last week it had increase sales at traffic on the site after increased investment and the introduction of improved delivery options that offers next day delivery, named day delivery or collection at stores. It also introduced wi-fi into stores.
 |
| Homebase: New Site Launches After 53% Sales Surge |
Wednesday, 30 April 2014
Next's Directory Closes On Shop Direct With Another Sales Surge
Online sales at clothing and home retailer Next soared in the past three months as online demand continued to rise rapidly.
Despite concerns among City of London investors that prospects for the online market in the UK may be over-inflated, Next's Directory sales increased 13.7% in the 13 weeks to April 26.
Despite concerns among City of London investors that prospects for the online market in the UK may be over-inflated, Next's Directory sales increased 13.7% in the 13 weeks to April 26.
The growth means that Next's Directory business could approach £1.5 billion sales this financial year after reaching £1.34 billion last year on growth of 12.4%.
That would put is catalogue and directory sales tantalisingly close to the biggest online pureplay retailer Shop Direct, whose sales are around £1.5 billion.
The retailer said total Next brand sales increased 10.8% which included Next Retail sales of 8.8%. It said it now expected pretax profit for the year to be between £750 million and £790 million, up from previous guidance of between £730 million and £770 million.
That compares to profit last year of £695 million. Next warned that, while sales over the next two quarters were against easier comparisons last year, it would be tougher in the final quarter over Christmas when the increasingly popular Next experienced a sales boom among shoppers.
Many commentators have put Next's success down to its firm application of its discount periods with a flash sale mid-season and a longer end of season sale. Many UK clothing retailers employ more frequent discounts which have annoyed more loyal shoppers who find prices on the products they buy cut within weeks or days of them making a purchase.
Tuesday, 29 April 2014
Feelunique Prompts IPO Rumours With Hire Of Former Lovefilm Executive
Feelunique.com has appointed former Lovefilm finance boss Jim Buckle prompting rumours of a sale of the businesses.
Buckle is the latest senior hire following the appointment of chief executive Joel Palix from Clarins in January. Buckle most recently worked at private equity-backed Wiggle, which has long been linked with a possible IPO.
Crucially, he was chief financial officer at Lovefilm for five years before it was sold to Amazon and subsequently became managing director. He joined Wiggle a year ago.
The executive has also worked for a number of other firms where he has played a key role in raising funds and mapping out strategic options. Those include working as an adviser to management at travel firm My Destination and at car booking service Safer Taxi.
Buckle is expected to join the firm next Tuesday, May 6, according to Fashion Monitor.
Wiggle attracted attention in March when it revealed plans for a stock market float in a job advert placed in the Financial Times.
The online cycling retailer placed an advert in the newspaper for a chief financial officer - evidently to replace Buckle - which stated that 'IPO experience would be an advantage'. Wiggle is currently owned by private equity firm Bridgepoint and the advert was placed by retail headhunter MBS Group.
Bridgepoint told Financial News at the time: 'We would naturally look for IPO experience in our CFO in order to keep our options open about the potential capital structure of the business in future. However, the board has made no decision about this nor has it appointed any advisers on the subject.'
It is understood that no advisers had been appointed but that a sale or float could be considered next year. Wiggle previously considered an IPO in 2011 but was instead sold by Isis Equity Partners to Bridgepoint for £180 million.
Buckle is the latest senior hire following the appointment of chief executive Joel Palix from Clarins in January. Buckle most recently worked at private equity-backed Wiggle, which has long been linked with a possible IPO.
Crucially, he was chief financial officer at Lovefilm for five years before it was sold to Amazon and subsequently became managing director. He joined Wiggle a year ago.
The executive has also worked for a number of other firms where he has played a key role in raising funds and mapping out strategic options. Those include working as an adviser to management at travel firm My Destination and at car booking service Safer Taxi.
Buckle is expected to join the firm next Tuesday, May 6, according to Fashion Monitor.
Wiggle attracted attention in March when it revealed plans for a stock market float in a job advert placed in the Financial Times.
The online cycling retailer placed an advert in the newspaper for a chief financial officer - evidently to replace Buckle - which stated that 'IPO experience would be an advantage'. Wiggle is currently owned by private equity firm Bridgepoint and the advert was placed by retail headhunter MBS Group.
Bridgepoint told Financial News at the time: 'We would naturally look for IPO experience in our CFO in order to keep our options open about the potential capital structure of the business in future. However, the board has made no decision about this nor has it appointed any advisers on the subject.'
It is understood that no advisers had been appointed but that a sale or float could be considered next year. Wiggle previously considered an IPO in 2011 but was instead sold by Isis Equity Partners to Bridgepoint for £180 million.
Monday, 28 April 2014
Morrisons Sets Date For London Online Blitz - One Month Ahead Of Schedule
As we said last week, Morrisons and Ocado have been preparing for something big - which we suspected was the long awaited Morrisons.com entry into to the London market.
On Friday we reported Ocado was recruiting 1,000 staff for a number of business areas - but most notably its London-based hubs. Today the Financial Times newspaper reports that Morrions will begin selling groceries online in London on May 12, a month earlier than planned.
The plan perhaps explains why Ocado has been recruiting like mad - and particularly around key London satellite hubs in Wimbledon and Ruislip.
Morrisons signed a £200 million partnership with Ocado a year ago and is using the internet delivery firm's new giant automated hub at Dordon in the Midlands. Morrisons.com launched in January and was extended to include Yorkshire a month later.
In a similar manner to the Yorkshire plan, which allows Morrisons to use Ocado's Leeds hub to deliver, Morrisons will use to Ruislip centre to access around 400,000 households in northwest London, the FT says. It has apparently chosen Ruislip because it gives it access to a diverse ethnic population mix which will give it a solid base of information about habits and demands as it extends into the wider London area.
Ocado and Morrisons operate online by shipping all their food for delivery to two main automated hubs in Hatfield in north London (used by Ocado) and Dordon (share by the two firms). It then sends out either vans for local deliveries or lorries to about a dozen satellite hubs which then dock and transfer goods to sprinter vans.
Morrisons is also expected to share space in the Ruislip satellite hub with Ocado.
Morrisons plans to serve 50 per cent of UK households online by the end of the year. It is also expected to begin offering a click and collect service in the second half as it tries to catch up with long-established dotcom business built up by Tesco, Sainsbury's and Asda.
As with its key rivals, Morrisons stores are under threat from discounters Aldi and Lidl and it appears to have suffered at their hands more than the other big three supermarkets. It announced in March its latest strategy overhaul that included £1 billion price cuts over three years.
On Friday we reported Ocado was recruiting 1,000 staff for a number of business areas - but most notably its London-based hubs. Today the Financial Times newspaper reports that Morrions will begin selling groceries online in London on May 12, a month earlier than planned.
The plan perhaps explains why Ocado has been recruiting like mad - and particularly around key London satellite hubs in Wimbledon and Ruislip.
Morrisons signed a £200 million partnership with Ocado a year ago and is using the internet delivery firm's new giant automated hub at Dordon in the Midlands. Morrisons.com launched in January and was extended to include Yorkshire a month later.
In a similar manner to the Yorkshire plan, which allows Morrisons to use Ocado's Leeds hub to deliver, Morrisons will use to Ruislip centre to access around 400,000 households in northwest London, the FT says. It has apparently chosen Ruislip because it gives it access to a diverse ethnic population mix which will give it a solid base of information about habits and demands as it extends into the wider London area.
Ocado and Morrisons operate online by shipping all their food for delivery to two main automated hubs in Hatfield in north London (used by Ocado) and Dordon (share by the two firms). It then sends out either vans for local deliveries or lorries to about a dozen satellite hubs which then dock and transfer goods to sprinter vans.
Morrisons is also expected to share space in the Ruislip satellite hub with Ocado.
Morrisons plans to serve 50 per cent of UK households online by the end of the year. It is also expected to begin offering a click and collect service in the second half as it tries to catch up with long-established dotcom business built up by Tesco, Sainsbury's and Asda.
As with its key rivals, Morrisons stores are under threat from discounters Aldi and Lidl and it appears to have suffered at their hands more than the other big three supermarkets. It announced in March its latest strategy overhaul that included £1 billion price cuts over three years.
Sunday, 27 April 2014
PetsPyjamas.com Drafts In Gracia Amico As Chief Executive
Former Hobbs fashion chain digital director Gracia Amico has been appointed to lead rapidly growing pets website PetsPyjamas.com.
Gracia Amico left Hobbs, where she was a board director, in February after a year in the business. She began in her new role as chief executive at PetsPyjamas.com last week.
Amico told the Mail on Sunday she has previously spoken with one of the sites co-founders Karen Hanton about taking a role and recently decided the 'time was right' to join the business.
Hanton previously set up restaurant booking site TopTable which was sold in 2010 to US rival Open Table for £35 million. She is understood to have received a £16 million windfall from the sale.
Amico told the newspaper: 'This market is growing fast. There’s a humanisation of pets at the moment, which means they are increasingly treated as just another member of the family.'
She said she was attracted by the 'holistic' approach of the business. About half its revenue this year is expected to come from services such as dog walking, pet-friendly holidays and pet-sitting.
The site is the latest in a string of online ventures in the £4 billion market. AstarPets was launched last month, backed by Quentin Griffiths, co-founder of online fashion retailer Asos. And last year Ocado began its first non-food website, Fetch.co.uk, targeting pet owners.
Amico formerly also worked at Burberry and Topman as well as setting up a jewellery site in the first part of last decade. PetsPyjamas.com employs about 20 people and sells about 8,000 products.
She said she expects to brush up the technical blueprint of the site before taking the offer overseas. Target markets for dedicated sites will include the US, Germany, Hong Kong and China, she said.
Gracia Amico left Hobbs, where she was a board director, in February after a year in the business. She began in her new role as chief executive at PetsPyjamas.com last week.
Amico told the Mail on Sunday she has previously spoken with one of the sites co-founders Karen Hanton about taking a role and recently decided the 'time was right' to join the business.
Hanton previously set up restaurant booking site TopTable which was sold in 2010 to US rival Open Table for £35 million. She is understood to have received a £16 million windfall from the sale.
Amico told the newspaper: 'This market is growing fast. There’s a humanisation of pets at the moment, which means they are increasingly treated as just another member of the family.'
She said she was attracted by the 'holistic' approach of the business. About half its revenue this year is expected to come from services such as dog walking, pet-friendly holidays and pet-sitting.
The site is the latest in a string of online ventures in the £4 billion market. AstarPets was launched last month, backed by Quentin Griffiths, co-founder of online fashion retailer Asos. And last year Ocado began its first non-food website, Fetch.co.uk, targeting pet owners.
Amico formerly also worked at Burberry and Topman as well as setting up a jewellery site in the first part of last decade. PetsPyjamas.com employs about 20 people and sells about 8,000 products.
She said she expects to brush up the technical blueprint of the site before taking the offer overseas. Target markets for dedicated sites will include the US, Germany, Hong Kong and China, she said.
Saturday, 26 April 2014
SecretSales.com Raises £4.5m For Next Phase Of Growth
London-based flash sales site SecretSales.com has raised £4.5 million to fund new growth and infrastructure plans.
The new investment has come from Partech Ventures’ new flagship Partech VI fund and French private equity firm 123Venture. Existing investors Pentech and Doughty Hanson have also contributed alongside co-founders and brothers Nish Kukadia and Sach Kukadia and key managers.
It is the third wave of fund-raising by the fashion-led site and follows 2010's £6.3 million from a syndicate that included Doughty Hanson Technology Ventures, Pentech and OCP Innovation, managed by Partech Ventures.
The company plans to use the money to help implement new 'sophisticated' customer acquisition and retention initiatives and grow its infrastructure and technology platform to further support expansion.
Chief executive of SecretSales.com Nish Kukadia said: 'We are delighted to welcome Partech VI and 123Venture as new investors and pleased that our existing shareholders continue to demonstrate their support and commitment through their participation in this latest funding round. We are really excited to now focus on the next stage of our ambitious growth plans for SecretSales.com.'
Philippe Collombel, managing partner at Partech Ventures, said: 'Globally, the flash sales market has undergone a revolution where the stronger, data-driven businesses are starting to successfully emerge. We have been consistently impressed by SecretSales.com’s performance and see an opportunity to grow a stand-out British business in this space.'
SecretSales.com increased net sales by 70% last year and has over 3.2 million registered members. It also has a portfolio consisting of 650 brands and recently hosted sales for Christian Louboutin shoes, Gucci sunglasses, Alessi home ware, Victoria Beckham Denim and vintage Chanel handbags.
The company said its competence with mobile commerce is becoming a 'core strength and differentiator'. Smartphones account for 29% of total sales and 26% are made from tablet devices.
In December 2013, SecretSales.com was named as one of the UK's 'Future Fifty' high-growth digital businesses.
The new investment has come from Partech Ventures’ new flagship Partech VI fund and French private equity firm 123Venture. Existing investors Pentech and Doughty Hanson have also contributed alongside co-founders and brothers Nish Kukadia and Sach Kukadia and key managers.
It is the third wave of fund-raising by the fashion-led site and follows 2010's £6.3 million from a syndicate that included Doughty Hanson Technology Ventures, Pentech and OCP Innovation, managed by Partech Ventures.
The company plans to use the money to help implement new 'sophisticated' customer acquisition and retention initiatives and grow its infrastructure and technology platform to further support expansion.
Chief executive of SecretSales.com Nish Kukadia said: 'We are delighted to welcome Partech VI and 123Venture as new investors and pleased that our existing shareholders continue to demonstrate their support and commitment through their participation in this latest funding round. We are really excited to now focus on the next stage of our ambitious growth plans for SecretSales.com.'
Philippe Collombel, managing partner at Partech Ventures, said: 'Globally, the flash sales market has undergone a revolution where the stronger, data-driven businesses are starting to successfully emerge. We have been consistently impressed by SecretSales.com’s performance and see an opportunity to grow a stand-out British business in this space.'
SecretSales.com increased net sales by 70% last year and has over 3.2 million registered members. It also has a portfolio consisting of 650 brands and recently hosted sales for Christian Louboutin shoes, Gucci sunglasses, Alessi home ware, Victoria Beckham Denim and vintage Chanel handbags.
The company said its competence with mobile commerce is becoming a 'core strength and differentiator'. Smartphones account for 29% of total sales and 26% are made from tablet devices.
In December 2013, SecretSales.com was named as one of the UK's 'Future Fifty' high-growth digital businesses.
Friday, 25 April 2014
Ocado And Morrisons Prepare For Massive Growth Push With 1,000 New Staff
Ocado has launched a massive recruitment drive as it seeks to shore up growth plans for itself and partner Morrisons.
It wants to hire more than 1,000 staff to work at its Dordon centre in Warwickshire, which it shares with Morrisons, as well as its satellite distribution hubs in Wimbledon and Ruislip. It is also recruiting for new projects being worked on at its Hatfield head office.
The recruitment drive has been taken as an indication that the Morrisons push into the Southeast is on the verge of fruition. Morrisons, whose dotcom delivery division is run by Ocado, launched in January but currently only delivers into the Midlands from Dordon and the North via satellites in cities such as Leeds.
So far it has only said its London service will launch 'this summer'.
It is also understood that the new staff will include dozens of technical managers and support staff that will work on upgrading existing sites and new non-food sites.
Sources said Ocado is billing some of the roles to applicants as 'start-up' positions that will aim to help build websites from scratch. It already has one non-food web site with Fetch, targeting pet owners, but aims to have several more.
Ocado said about 800 of the roles will be in the massive distribution hub in Dordon. About 100 more staff are needed at the new hub in Ruislip and 80 in Wimbledon for drivers.
But 100 other roles will be based in its 'technology division' at its head office at Hatfield - including software engineers, tech professionals and technicians.
It said in a statement that the new staff will 'drive Ocado’s game-changing innovation into robotics, machine learning, cloud development and big data, whilst preparing for international expansion.'
Others will include office and operational support staff, analysts, project managers, buyers, human resources professionals and many more.
Julie Markey, HR director at Ocado, said: 'In just a few short years Ocado has grown from a tiny start-up to a company worth over £2.5 billion and we’re delighted to announce the creation of 1,000 new jobs as we continue to develop our business here in the UK and abroad.'
She said: 'Every role is critical to our success, from keeping our website running smoothly, to packing groceries and delivering them into our customers’ kitchens. People can shape their own future; in fact many of those who joined our Dordon team last year have already developed into managerial, engineering or training roles.'
It wants to hire more than 1,000 staff to work at its Dordon centre in Warwickshire, which it shares with Morrisons, as well as its satellite distribution hubs in Wimbledon and Ruislip. It is also recruiting for new projects being worked on at its Hatfield head office.
The recruitment drive has been taken as an indication that the Morrisons push into the Southeast is on the verge of fruition. Morrisons, whose dotcom delivery division is run by Ocado, launched in January but currently only delivers into the Midlands from Dordon and the North via satellites in cities such as Leeds.
So far it has only said its London service will launch 'this summer'.
It is also understood that the new staff will include dozens of technical managers and support staff that will work on upgrading existing sites and new non-food sites.
Sources said Ocado is billing some of the roles to applicants as 'start-up' positions that will aim to help build websites from scratch. It already has one non-food web site with Fetch, targeting pet owners, but aims to have several more.
Ocado said about 800 of the roles will be in the massive distribution hub in Dordon. About 100 more staff are needed at the new hub in Ruislip and 80 in Wimbledon for drivers.
But 100 other roles will be based in its 'technology division' at its head office at Hatfield - including software engineers, tech professionals and technicians.
It said in a statement that the new staff will 'drive Ocado’s game-changing innovation into robotics, machine learning, cloud development and big data, whilst preparing for international expansion.'
Others will include office and operational support staff, analysts, project managers, buyers, human resources professionals and many more.
Julie Markey, HR director at Ocado, said: 'In just a few short years Ocado has grown from a tiny start-up to a company worth over £2.5 billion and we’re delighted to announce the creation of 1,000 new jobs as we continue to develop our business here in the UK and abroad.'
She said: 'Every role is critical to our success, from keeping our website running smoothly, to packing groceries and delivering them into our customers’ kitchens. People can shape their own future; in fact many of those who joined our Dordon team last year have already developed into managerial, engineering or training roles.'
Thursday, 24 April 2014
Click & Collect Entering ‘Explosive Growth’ Period In Britain
The number of UK shoppers using click and collect is expected to double in the next three years as more consumers try out a growing number of services from retailers.
The research by Planet Retail estimates that the number of shoppers using click and collect services will increase from about a third (35%) currently to 76% by 2017.
Global research director at Planet Retail Natalie Berg said: ‘Click & collect is poised for explosive growth in the UK. Shoppers are already accustomed to browsing and transacting on their own terms – choice in fulfilment is the final piece to the puzzle. Within the next three years, we’re expecting more than three-quarters of online shoppers to collect their own items.'
She explained: 'Two of the biggest barriers to buying online are cost of delivery and inconvenient delivery times, making click & collect an increasingly attractive option for both shoppers and retailers. Fulfilment is poised to be the next big battleground in retail.'
Research by Planet Retail in the report UK Click & Collect: Retail Fad or Future of the High Street? shows that the number of UK shoppers using click & collect to buy online and self-collect, compares to 13% in the US and 5% in Germany.
But Planet Retail warns that retailers are failing to cater to the shift in shopping behaviour. Only two-thirds of the Top 50 retailers currently offer the service while only 14% offer more than one collection option, including in-store service desks, collection lockers (4%) or third-party shops (12%) such as convenience stores.
'Retailers should be readying themselves for this massive shift in shopping behaviour and thinking beyond traditional collection points. Train stations, schools and even shoppers’ own cars could be the collection points of the future. Retailers must be prepared to forge relationships with some unconventional partners in pursuit of better serving the customer,' Berg said.
The new report highlights strategic partnerships such as those between eBay and Argos, CollectPlus and Westfield, and calls out best practice examples from John Lewis, Next, Amazon, Tesco and Asda, among others.
The research by Planet Retail estimates that the number of shoppers using click and collect services will increase from about a third (35%) currently to 76% by 2017.
Global research director at Planet Retail Natalie Berg said: ‘Click & collect is poised for explosive growth in the UK. Shoppers are already accustomed to browsing and transacting on their own terms – choice in fulfilment is the final piece to the puzzle. Within the next three years, we’re expecting more than three-quarters of online shoppers to collect their own items.'
She explained: 'Two of the biggest barriers to buying online are cost of delivery and inconvenient delivery times, making click & collect an increasingly attractive option for both shoppers and retailers. Fulfilment is poised to be the next big battleground in retail.'
Research by Planet Retail in the report UK Click & Collect: Retail Fad or Future of the High Street? shows that the number of UK shoppers using click & collect to buy online and self-collect, compares to 13% in the US and 5% in Germany.
But Planet Retail warns that retailers are failing to cater to the shift in shopping behaviour. Only two-thirds of the Top 50 retailers currently offer the service while only 14% offer more than one collection option, including in-store service desks, collection lockers (4%) or third-party shops (12%) such as convenience stores.
'Retailers should be readying themselves for this massive shift in shopping behaviour and thinking beyond traditional collection points. Train stations, schools and even shoppers’ own cars could be the collection points of the future. Retailers must be prepared to forge relationships with some unconventional partners in pursuit of better serving the customer,' Berg said.
The new report highlights strategic partnerships such as those between eBay and Argos, CollectPlus and Westfield, and calls out best practice examples from John Lewis, Next, Amazon, Tesco and Asda, among others.
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