AO expands ecommerce ecosystem with home laptop set-up

Electrical retailer AO.com will provide a home setup service for laptops as it looks to deliver its vision of an online “ecosystem”.

The service will see the retailer working with hardware supplier SCAN to offer free installation of laptop essentials such as email and internet preferences on 30 Windows devices when purchases through the website. SCAN’s technology allows it to remotely configure devices.

It is initially available as a six-week trial, with the retailer planning to extend it if successful.

Naeem Adam, head of computing said: “As an online-only retailer, this new service is a step forward in making shopping more convenient and easier for our customers. It will particularly help to stop customers having to waste any unwanted time trying to set up their new laptop themselves.

In March, AO’s founder and CEO John Roberts said that in-home services could fulfil one of the key roles of the store, which often provides services such as repairs.

Earlier this month, AO’s founder and CEO John Roberts said that the company’s model was based on an “ecosystem of complementary competencies across retail, mobile, recycling and logistics through to financial services and B2B trade.

AO has also this week launched a new business to business division, appointing Mark Armstrong from Electrolux as head of sales for housebuilders. The division will aim to offer businesses an easier way to buy appliances.