Hardware chain Robert Dyas is trialling an internet kiosk in its new-look store in Maidenhead, which opened last week.
Dubbed “Browse & Buy” the kiosk allows shoppers to reserve and purchase items from the retailer’s website. As well as providing a home delivery option, the kiosk also offers additional ranges not stocked in the store. Steven Round, chief executive, said that the trial was already proving successful and that in its first week, the cost of the new equipment had already been recouped in sales from the kiosk.
The 3,000 sq ft Maidenhead store, designed by Hove-based CDW, is a pilot for the chain and is the first in-store evidence of the turnaround strategy being implemented by Round and his team, following the management buyout in April. Round commented: “Our aspiration is that in the year ahead we will start looking at some new stores.” He added that he would be looking at locations such as market towns and city centres. He explained that these are areas, traditionally, in which high levels of loyalty to the brand are found and that in secondary towns retailers such as Wilkinsons already have a very strong presence.
“The new store is a more modern format, something that looks as if it can live happily next to other retailers,” Round said. Currently, the retailer’s portfolio is composed of 99 branches with six in-store concessions in Somerfield supermarkets.
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