Makro has announced plans to invest in online “click and collect” lockers at Sasol petrol station forecourts.
“Informed by the experience of companies such as Walmart-owned Asda, Makro is acquiring access to sites to enable delivery of online customer orders to conveniently located secure lockers, making this an additional option for customers collecting online orders from Makro stores,” the retailer’s parent, Massmart, said in a statement.
In 2011, online retail giant Amazon launched its Locker programme in New York, Seattle and London, a self-service delivery location that allow its customers to collect and return packages. Amazon users receive a Pin in their delivery notification that will allow them to open the locker. With Amazon, users need to collect packages within three business days or it is returned for a refund.
“The secure lockers, using a proven technology already deployed in other markets, will be located in safe and convenient locations including petrol station forecourts, fast food restaurants, office parks and Makro stores,” the South African retailer, which is owned by Walmart, said. “They provide customers with an additional delivery option which will supplement the home delivery and in-store click and collect solutions already offered by Makro.”
When an order is ready for collection from one of the lockers, a customer will receive a text message telling them as much, along with a unique code to identify themselves and get access to the locker.
“We view click-and-collect locker order fulfilment as an important part of our medium-term online strategy, as it provides our customers with another convenient touch point with our brand,” said Makro CEO Doug Jones in the statement.
Makro and Sasol have reached an agreement in terms of which the retailer will have nationwide access to the fuel retailer’s forecourts.
Jones said Makro will be able to talk about its roll-out plans by mid-2015. — © 2014 NewsCentral Media
