IKEA trials next-generation collection lockers with Tesco
IKEA and Tesco are expanding their partnership by adding next-generation self-serve IKEA lockers at Tesco’s Dereham Extra and Cambridge Newmarket Road superstore as part of a new trial between the two retailers, to make collecting IKEA online orders easier.
The new automated pick-up lockers in Dereham and Cambridge are among just three locations in the UK selected for the trial, making residents in the Norfolk and Cambridgeshire areas among the first to use them.
Customers can order a wide range of IKEA products, from home accessories and homewares to furniture, for "hassle-free" collection at their nearest locker, 24/7.
Customers within 100km of the lockers will be able to make use of the service. To select a locker collection, customers can choose the option at checkout. Once an order has been confirmed, they will receive an email and text containing a code to unlock the locker and collect their order.
Orders placed before 6:30am will be available from the same day, while orders placed after 6:30am will be eligible for collection from the following day. Collection slots can be booked up to five days in advance, subject to availability.
At each store, customer orders will be available for collection from one of 35 differently sized lockers that can accommodate furniture of almost all size (larger orders may be split across multiple lockers).
These automated ‘pick-up lockers’ build on the existing partnership between IKEA and Tesco, which has seen over 100 mobile pick-up points launched at Tesco stores across the UK. A further 100 pick-up points are planned to launch, half of which are due to open this year. While the mobile pick-up points allow products to be collected during two daily time windows, with the new lockers items can be picked up at any time, providing further flexibility.
Jakob Bertilsson, country customer fulfilment manager, IKEA UK, says: “We’re continuously exploring new ways to connect with our customers across the UK and this trial marks a significant milestone in our ambition to become even closer to our customers. We’re excited to extend our successful partnership with Tesco to bring these next-generation lockers to our customers in the Norfolk and Cambridgeshire areas and provide a range of services that are affordable, accessible and offer the best possible experience.”
Simon Williams, Tesco’s assets and estates director, adds: “We’re pleased to be building on our existing partnership with IKEA to trial innovative ways of improving the shopping experience for Tesco and IKEA customers. Our IKEA manned Click & Collect points are already widely used, with almost 100 in operation right across the UK, and we hope that these convenient and forward-thinking new automated lockers are just as well received.”
