Ahold evolving online offer in Netherlands and US
Bol.com enables Belgian retailers to sell through its site
Mirroring the strategy it took in its home market, which has seen 10,000 resellers sign up, Bol.com has opened its site to third party retailers based in Belgium. Merchants benefit from being opened up to all Bol.com’s users, with delivery and payments also completed by the retailer. Commenting on the strategy, Bol.com’s director for Belgium, Jan Huysmans, said: “The success of our reseller model in the Netherlands means that we want to expand the offer to retailers in Belgium. This development may help drive channel growth in the market, while also enabling the companies to sell across borders.”
Peapod adapts pricing model in US
From 2 September Peapod has said that it will charge a fee for its store pick-up service – of $2.95 – and require that orders are more than $60. The retailer communicated the change in its offer to shoppers by email, saying: “We kept it as close to free as we possibly could. But it's true — we have to start charging a fee for pick-up orders… We hope you agree it's worth it.”
At the same time as telling shoppers about the new charges, Peapod launched its Peapod Pod Pass, which gives customers the chance to sign up unlimited home deliveries or store pickups for a flat fee of $39for three months, $59 for six months and $99 for a year. Ahold saw sales in the online channel grow by 18.6% in its second quarter, but making the service profitable will be key to maintaining its medium term growth.
Bol.com aims to offer same day delivery within two years
Bol.com’s managing director, Daniel Ropers, as part of an interview, said that within two years the retailer wants to offer same day delivery on its full range, with the solution being provided as cheaply as possible and potentially for free. Ropers said that existing same day delivery solutions are far too expensive for most shoppers, but by using its scale and growing logistical skill, he believes the retailer should be able to offer the service soon. However, even then, Ropers said the service was unlikely to be offered on Sunday, given that this was even more expensive to operate.
Albert Heijn launches on Tumblr
Albert Heijn has added a page on micro-blogging site Tumblr, at the address albertheijn.tumblr.com. Shoppers are encouraged to post their favourite recipes, while the site will allow others to search for inspiration from other users, with meals categorised by breakfast, lunch and dinner and by ingredient, meat, fish or vegetarian.
Albert Heijn to enable shoppers to pay with air miles
Using its growing digital expertise, Albert Heijn is aiming to enable shoppers who have banked a large number of air miles to redeem them for products at its stores and its sister company, Bol.com.
source: RetailAnalysis
