Tesco is reportedly investigating the potential of non-grocery products ordered on the Tesco Direct site being dropped off for collection by customers at Tesco Express and Tesco Metro stores around the country.
Such a strategy would see the supermarket giant embrace multichannel more fully, making use of the vast network of around 1,400 local stores, and the existing store delivery infrastructure. The system would also free customers from the frustration of waiting in for deliveries to their homes.
According to a story in the Mail on Sunday this weekend, discussions about the project are at an early stage, but the fact that Tesco began trials of a click and collect grocery service last year, through its stores, suggests new developments are imminent. The market leading grocer has also opened Argos-style catalogue service desks at many of its Tesco Extra hypermarkets, where customers can order, pick up and return goods.
The click and collect strategy is being mooted just as Tesco’s long-serving chief executive Sir Terry Leahy prepares to hand over the reins to successor Philip Clarke this week. To mark the occasion Tesco has launched a £200m price-cut campaign, in a bid to outshine its rivals.
