With e-commerce on the rise, brick-and-mortar retailers have been forced to reconsider their customer experiences and find opportunities to increase convenience. Consumers have grown acclimated to quick delivery and local pickup. Now, we’re seeing a traditional retailer implementing a pickup option that caters to modern, speed-and-convenience-minded consumers.
Advance Auto Parts, an automotive aftermarket parts provider that serves both professional installer and do-it-yourself customers, will provide several enhancements to its in-store pickup option for its customers at more than 4,500 Advance and company-owned Carquest stores in the United States.
“Free in-store pickup is another example of how we put our Customers first in everything we do,” says Jason McDonell, Chief Marketing Officer. “Instead of waiting and potentially paying more for their order to be delivered to their home, our enhanced in-store pickup option enables customers to get their automotive projects done quicker and get their cars and trucks back on the road as fast as possible.”
After placing their order from the parts and products offered on Advance Auto Parts’ website and selecting the in-store pickup option, customers will receive confirmation that their order was received and an alert when their order is ready for pick up. Once the order is ready, customers then go to their local Advance or company-owned Carquest store and pick up their items at the designated in-store pickup register at the front of the store. Other enhancements include a reminder if the order is not picked up after 48 hours and the ability for customers to designate someone to pick up the order on their behalf.
The in-store pickup advancements are the latest digital development from Advance designed to enhance the customer shopping experience to make it easier and more convenient. Last month, Advance launched its new Speed Perks rewards loyalty program enabling members to earn rewards faster than ever.
Elite-level customers can start earning $5 Perks Bucks after spending as little as $40 online or at any Advance Auto Parts and company-owned Carquest stores in the United States and Puerto Rico. Perks Bucks can be used to purchase any of the thousands of items offered in store or online.
Overall, this new option seems promising for Advance Auto Parts (and its consumers). Given that this new, convenience-increasing feature is coming just after the launch of the brand’s transactional rewards program, it will be interesting to see if this leads to a change in the way loyal customers engage with the brand.