Asos to launch Russian website tomorrow as it unveils ByBox returns lockers deal

The Russian launch, which was brought forward from October, will be followed by its Chinese debut. Asos boss Nick Robertson said the Russian expansion would “fuel growth”.

Along with international growth, Asos is also improving its returns service by partnering with ByBox, a provider of delivery lockers with over 500 locations nationwide in sites such as supermarkets, shopping centres, high streets and petrol stations.

Asos customer delivery manager Robert Muldoon said: “Offering our customers a wide range of delivery and returns options is crucial to our success as an online retailer. We want customers to have a seamless experience at all points with Asos and the ByBox appointment is a major step towards this goal.”

Robertson revealed further details about the fashion retailer’s long-awaited Chinese debut when he unveiled an 18% jump in pre-tax profits to £27.2m in the half year to February 28, 2013 this morning.

He said: “We’re on track to launch in October. We’ll start up with about 10% of our range. It will take about four to five years until we have our full range on there. We’re going to start small and build it as we grow.”