Argos and eBay have extended their click and collect partnership to 650 Argos UK stores as the retailers take the fight to Amazon.
The firms‘ trial period, which has run since September 2013, has proved successful.
The service works when customers choose ‘click and collect at Argos‘ as the delivery option in their eBay checkout and select their most convenient Argos store. A message is then sent when items are ready for in-store collection and can be picked up at a dedicated collection point in the shop.
David Robinson, chief operating officer, Argos, said: “The next stage in the agreement is to have more sellers, more stores and more volume to assess how we can scale this partnership for the benefit of consumers, Argos and eBay. Fulfilment is the next retail battleground and Argos‘ unique model is well placed to leverage this.”
It is expected that 65,000 eBay sellers will offer items for collection at Argos, rising to around 80,000 in 2015.
Rival Amazon has announced it will install branded lockers in two London overground car parks from 30 June as it adds to its 300 lockers across the UK. The news follows the rollout of Asda, Sainsbury‘s and Waitrose click and collect points across London tube station car parks.
Tanya Lawler, UK VP, eBay, said: “Retail has changed and shoppers are in the driving seat like never before. They want to shop anytime, anywhere, on any device and British shoppers love to click and collect. It‘s a service being rapidly adopted by larger retailers and this partnership with Argos now gives tens of thousands of sellers the chance to capitalise on click and collect, even if they have no high street presence of their own.”
