All 592 Asda stores in the UK already have Click-and-Collect points, remote or in stores. Asda even plans to reach the number of 1,000 within the next three hears. This is one of the strategies the company is following as it's going through a long and challenging period of time (with a 3.9% fall in like-for-like sales revealed in the first quarter financial results). Another plan is to open two stores in London by the end of this year, in Deptford and Wealdstone, to get closer to hight-street shoppers. UK's second largest supermarkets chain, owned by the American Walmart, also announced last February an additional £600 million financing to open 17 new stores, 36 petrol stations, 150 Click-and-Collect points and re-model 62 stores. Another £21 million will be invested in store hours.
The real innovation in Asda's scheme is the opening, this month, of the first UK's 24/7 Click-and-Collect intelligent pod. The chosen location is St Helens, a strategic commuter belt between Liverpool and Manchester. As usual, the grocery order will be made online, then the customers will just have to scan the corresponding QR code to collect their goods, including fresh items, from the temperature-controlled unit. Its three hatches are supposed to allow the delivery of thousands of orders every week, and if yours is registered before noon, it will be available at the pod by 4pm the same day. This St Helens pod is just a test for now, but if it works, Asda will surely develop the concept.
*Photo: Asda
News in the same category
Selfridges in London will soon be opening its very own cinema. Their flagship store on Oxford Street will host the cinema, which will give shoppers the chance to catch up on the latest releases whilst also picking up the items that they need.
For any Irish person living in London and missing their favourite foods, the Irish Centre recently opened it new Irish Shop 'An Siopa' - which means that you don't have to wait until your next trip to the Emerald Isle to get specific brands that you love.
Before the end of 2015, Nestlé Japan plans to install humanoid robots, named Pepper, in its stores. Capable of understanding and interacting with humans, they advise clients on the brand's products and coffee machines.
Lidl has opened a massive new supermarket in North Bristol on the site of a former bus depot. Located in Muller Street in Horfield, it will be the German discounter’s 12th store within the Bristol area.
