Recreational Equipment, Inc. has launched its first REI Store Pickup service for online orders. Customers placing orders through REI.com or REI-OUTLET.com now have the
option of picking them up at any REI store free of shipping charges.
Virtually all products are available for REI Store Pickup at any of REI’s 66 retail stores nationwide.
REI is among the first national retailers, and the only specializing in outdoor gear, to offer free pick-up of online orders at local stores.
“Our members continually tell us what they want, and the result is blurring
the lines between online and retail stores,” said Joan Broughton,
vice-president, multi-channel programs for REI. “In-store pickup is a
natural next step in providing a seamless shopping experience.”
Initial response from customers has been positive. Use of the new service is
running 60 percent above projections in the first week of the unannounced
and unadvertised soft launch. REI Store Pickup, now present on the checkout
pages at REI.com and REI-OUTLET.com will become more visible throughout the
e-commerce sites tomorrow. The new service is an expansion of popular REI
in-store shipping options that have been available for phone and in-store
kiosk orders.
REI Store Pickup is the latest feature of REI’s multi-channel integration.
“Stores & Events” pages were launched on REI.com in February, providing
online customers with information on upcoming events and clinics for each
store, as well as local hikes.
REI recently won the 2003 Best in E-commerce Innovation award at the Retail
Systems conference. The award was given in recognition of REI’s
industry-leading B2C systems and practices that improve the consumer
shopping experience and raise standards throughout the industry.
