Argos launches same-day UK-wide home delivery service
Argos has announced the launch of its new Fast Track service, through which online customers can order same-day home delivery or same-day store collection for nearly 20,000 products across the UK. Customers choosing Fast Track Delivery can select from four convenient home delivery slots: 7am-10am, 10am-1pm, 2pm-6pm and 7pm-10pm, seven days a week including Sunday. Customers can order by 6pm to have an item delivered by 10pm on the same day, or schedule a convenient time on the next day or future days. The delivery fee is £3.95.
With Fast Track Collection, customers can collect their products from 800 Argos store locations nationwide, at specially marked Fast Track Collection counters. Fast Track Collection is free.
The Fast Track Delivery drivers are Argos employees, who – the retailer said in a statement issued today – have been “specially hired and trained and working in local stores around the country”. Argos has created new jobs for 3,300 drivers, who will operate 800 liveried Argos vans. Argos added that up to 1,000 drivers are currently being recruited for the busy upcoming Christmas season.
Fast Track Collection and Fast Track Delivery have been made possible, Argos added, “because of behind the scenes improvements Argos has been making during the past two years to its stocking, distribution and digital systems, such as the ‘hub & spoke’ stocking model it deployed in stores last year”.
As Post&Parcel reported back in August, Fast Track has been in testing for several months and Argos said that “customer reaction to the new home delivery service in particular was very positive”.
Commenting on the Fast Track launch, John Walden, Chief Executive, Home Retail Group (parent company of Argos) said: “As customers increasingly shop from online and mobile shopping channels, they are increasingly sensitive to the speed and cost of obtaining their products.
“Argos has always been known for convenience, and is uniquely positioned with its national network of stores and distribution centres to provide customers with the best options to fulfil their digital orders.
“We are pleased to introduce Fast Track Collection and Fast Track Delivery, which represents the fastest, cheapest and most convenient way for customers to purchase their goods online.
“We hope Fast Track will help UK consumers this Christmas and make their seasonal shopping speedier and easier than ever before.”
Fast Track is the first time that Argos has offered a full UK-wide same-day delivery service with its own drivers and liveried vans for online sales – but the retailer has worked with Shutl on a same day delivery service for reservations from around 300 selected stores.
When asked about the Shutl relationship by Post&Parcel today, Argos sent us this reply: “Prior to today’s Fast Track launch, Shutl has been a good alternative option for some customers. We are now looking to explore other future partnership opportunities with them.”
