Online auction giant eBay and UK catalogue shop Argos have struck a deal where certain eBay bought goods will be able to be collected by customers for FREE from an Argos store. The deal kicks off with a trial scheme where goods from around 50 eBay merchants will be able to be picked up from one of 150 Argos bricks and mortar stores. Argos, part of the Home Retail Group, operates a total of 735 stores in the UK. The trial of the new service will begin to coincide with the Christmas shopping season.
In a statement on Retail Week, Argos managing director John Walden said “We think the unique capability that Argos has in distribution and store collection may become more and more relevant. There might be a model where Argos could provide these unique capabilities to others, traditional and online in the marketplace and that’s the purpose of the trial”. This is a heavy hint that Argos might be working with other e-stores which lack high-street presence.
Walden continued by saying that Argos can help e-tailers so they wouldn’t have to lose money by subsidising delivery charges - in a market where everyone wants fast free delivery. “We think that’s an opportunity that Argos can help address,” he said.
From the other side of today’s deal, eBay president Devin Wenig said “Smart retailers are innovating, reimagining the store and what it means to shop. We’re proud to join Argos on this journey. This exciting pilot takes us one step nearer to our goal of offering customers an inspired and seamless shopping experience.” Wenig also predicted that the distinction between online and offline shopping will continue to blur.
In other eBay related news today eBay UK said that its one hour local delivery service, eBay Now, currently operational in several US cities, will debut in London in 2014. More details and pricing for this service will be available nearer launch time. In the US the price for eBay Now delivery is $5 for an item costing $25 or more.
