Pets at Home has begun a trial to deliver orders placed online from store stock, making greater use of its store estate as a distribution network. The company already has a strong click and collect model for its stores but the new trial will see customer orders shipped from store stock. The retailer said that once scaled the trial is expected to generate cost savings relative to its existing, centrally fulfilled model.
Development of Pets at Home’s new storage and distribution facility in Stafford has also now begun and is scheduled to become fully operational in Summer 2023. Design initiatives to be incorporated in the new facility include a modular approach to automation, giving maximum flexibility in stock holding and fulfilment capacity, as well as a clear focus on sustainability, targeting a BREEAM rating for the build of “Excellent” and including the use of LED lighting, solar energy, rainwater harvesting and maximising biodiversity. The retailer says that consolidation of its two legacy distribution facilities will be carefully timed to minimise operational disruption on its business.
Pet at Home has also grown its subscriptions business it reported in its latest results update this week. The number of subscription plans across the group grew 24% YoY to over 1.3m in the first quarter of 2021, generating over £100m in annualised recurring customer sales.
