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Online developer delivers new spin on ‘click to collect’ and ‘collect instore’ e-commerce functionality for retailer

Halfords.com has announced the successful implementation of "Free Delivery To Store" functionality. 

The new service means customers can order any item available on Halfords website then pick up from their local store – free of delivery charge. The new service is designed to extend the breadth of range customers can access and save them the cost of delivery.

“We continue to invest in Halfords.com to make it easier and more enjoyable for customers to shop with Halfords. “Free Delivery To Store” builds on our success with "Reserve and Collect", providing a wider range from your local store,” said Chris Corbin, head of Halfords.com.

Nature of service drives development

Corbin added: “We know that our customers prefer to collect in-store because of the fitting services we offer and because it is often more convenient than waiting in for a delivery. We believe “Free delivery To Store” will prove very popular with our customers.”

Now, Halfords.com customers can choose between 4 different delivery services - "Free Delivery to Store", "Reserve and Collect," "Text and Reserve" and "Home Delivery".

Working with e-commerce solution specialists Salmon, Halfords are able to offer this complex offering due to its combination of best-of-breed IT systems, including IBM WebSphere Commerce, DataCash, SAP, PKMS and BTE Store6, which make it possible for the retailer to, keep track of orders and most importantly keep customers up to date with the progress of their order. Customers can also track their purchases online and will be updated by text and email as orders are dispatched and arrive in store.

Innovating through difficult times

Sue Pratt, account director for Salmon, said: "In this difficult climate some retailers would possibly decide to hold fire when it comes to innovation, but not Halfords. They continue to push forward with plans to develop their multi-channel offering with successful ideas. We will continue to work with them to ensure these sorts of programmes are delivered on time and budget and executed in a manner to ensure Halfords succeed."

Salmon said it has been helping Halfords implement their e-commerce and multichannel strategy since 2005. To deliver “Free Delivery To Store” Salmon used Halfords existing architecture that supports “Reserve and Collect”, “Home/Work Delivery” and more recently “Text and Reserve” services.

Salmon’s integration skills have enabled the Halfords WebSphere Commerce platform to determine the delivery times from the distribution centres to the stores, take payment using DataCash, pass the order information to SAP, which then forwards the information to the store system (Store6). To complete the circle, status updates “ready for collect” are sent from the stores, via Store6 and SAP to WebSphere Commerce, which then sends text alerts and emails to the customers.

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