Woolworths has announced an unexpected alliance with the online retail giant, eBay. Under the new partnership, eBay customers will be able to collect their online purchases from pick-up points at more than 90 Woolworths’ supermarkets and BIG W stores around the country.
And whilst Woolworths hopes the collection service will increase traffic and sales in its bricks and mortar stores, eBay believes it will increase its own online sales by making it easier for shoppers to have deliveries accepted on their behalf.
A recent eBay Australia survey found that one in five web shoppers purchased online at least once a week, however, 47 per cent were not permitted to receive deliveries at work. Almost a quarter had to take leave from their jobs to accept delivery of online orders.
“It’s positive for eBay in terms of providing a greater degree of flexibility and it enables Woolworths to try to convert that trip into a transaction,” said Commonwealth Bank retail analyst Andrew McLennan. “eBay has 8 million customers a month – it might enable Woolworths to appeal to a broader customer that may not necessarily be shopping in Woolworths brands.”
The cost of the alliance shouldn’t be too great either, as Woolworths already staffs parcel collection points for its own online customers.
Do you think this is a good idea? Will you now be more inclined to purchase from eBay, considering the potential savings on postage and easier pick up?
Read more at www.SMH.com.au
