Boots boss "pleased" with Asos click-and-collect tie-up

The first stage of the click-and-collect trial went live in six north London Boots stores in January, and was rolled out to seven more shops across the capital last month. One unidentified store has discontinued the trial.

Next-day and standard delivery services are available for Asos customers and orders are held for collection in Boots stores for up to 10 days. The service is only available through a desktop computer, not through Asos’ mobile site or app.

Outlets participating in the trial since May include Boots stores in Tottenham Road, Brixton, Tooting, Balham, Holborn, The Strand and Clapham.

Speaking to Retail Week, Boots president Simon Roberts said: “We are pleased so far with the results and we are looking at it [for the future].” Roberts declined to say whether Boots would work with other retailers on similar tie-ups.

The move comes after Boots revealed earlier this week that it is cutting 700 jobs as it looks to restructure, with a stronger focus on it omnichannel services and boosting its in-store offer.

Retailers are increasingly looking to collaborate on allowing concession and click-and-collect facilities in each other’s stores, as they assess the best way to make use of store space and boost footfall. Argos has two digital concessions in Sainsbury’s, while a new DPD initiative allows purchases made with one retailer to be collected in the stores of other retailers also signed up to the scheme.