Studio.co.uk shoppers can now buy direct from the retailer’s live shopping channel, housed in its app, and being trialled ahead of Christmas.
The presenters on Studio Live, available in the retailer’s app as of this week, can demonstrate products, answer questions and talk to shoppers as they watch. Questions are fed to the stream moderator, to post to the stream or directly to the presenter. The focus will initially be on this year’s top Christmas toys.
The launch comes as Studio, a Top350 retailer in RXUK Top500 research, looks to improve the digital experience for its online shoppers. Currently its app accounts for 30% of its online sales, and it has more than 1.2m users.
Chris Chalmers, customer and digital director at Studio.co.uk, says: “We’re pleased that we’ve been able to launch Studio Live ahead of the biggest moment in the retail calendar, Black Friday. This innovative project has been in the works for a while and as a brand, we feel immensely proud to finally launch it.
“We are confident that our loyal customers, who already support our app enormously, will love our new feature that has never been seen via an app functionality in the retail space before. Our presenters all have expert product knowledge and will hugely contribute to the experience shoppers have with Studio. Studio Live encourages consumers to be even in more control, asking the questions that matter to them and making sure they are getting the product they want at a price they love.”
Studio has seen fast growth as shoppers moved to do more of their shopping online during the Covid-19 pandemic. Around 40% of its annual sales usually take place in the Black Friday and Christmas third quarter of its financial year, and the retailer has already said that it has stocked up ahead of this year’s peak trading season.
Studio sells to more than 2m shoppers each year. The Accrington, Lancashire-based value retailer sells in categories including fashion, homeware, toys and personalised gifts.
