Maplin has inked a deal with fulfilment specialist Shutl to launch 90-minute delivery slots and improve its customer offer.
The electronics retailer began offering the service last Friday and Shutl will deliver from 83 stores.
A further 21 stores will introduce the service in the spring. Stock is delivered from shops, rather than Maplin’s central distribution hub.
Maplin is promoting the service – which starts at £5 – extensively online. It is the first retailer to fully integrate such an option on its website at checkout. The retailer is also offering customers one-hour delivery slots. Customers can access GPS tracking to monitor deliveries.
Maplin internet project manager Gareth Pownall said the partnership would “give our customers even better access to our range of 15,000 products”.
Maplin, which relaunched its website last year, enjoyed a strong Christmas, as like-for-like sales jumped 1.4% and online sales soared 21% in the four weeks to December 31.
The retailer plans 15 new stores and 15 refurbishments this year. Owner Montagu Private Equity considered a sale of the business in 2010 but that is thought to be off the agenda at present.
Shutl, which counts Argos and Oasis owner Aurora among its clients, has undergone an extensive relaunch of its website to build brand recognition among customers.
Its Shutl Now and Shutl Later services have been renamed Now! and When? to become “synonymous with both speed and convenience”, said Shutl marketing head Guy Westlake.
Now! is its 90-minute delivery option, while When? offers one-hour time slots.
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