Retail chain Spar yesterday introduced a new e-commerce initiative which will see its stores serve as collect points for goods purchased on the Internet.
The new service, a venture between Spar and Collectpoint, enables Internet shoppers to order online and nominate a Spar store near their home or work as the delivery point.
Clery's is the first Irish retailer to sign up to the new service. Spar sales and marketing director Mr Alex Banahan said it was currently in negotiations with a number of other Irish retailers to offer the service. Other Internet retailers offering the Collectpoint service include UK-based QVC and the Gadget Shop.
There is no additional charge for the online shopper for the use of the service, according to Mr Banahan.
"The online retailer is paying for that delivery to the Spar store. The Spar retailer will benefit with a small contribution from the online retailer," he said. Spar shops would also benefit from increased customer loyalty, he said.
