This week's retail news 'you may have missed'......
At mdj2, we’re passionate about retail and always looking to share our news, views, and insights. With so much information out there, we wanted to share just a small selection of retail news headlines from last week that we found interesting…
B&Q launches Tradepoint App.
B&Q TradePoint launch new app that allows customers to make the most of their savings
The launch focuses on B&Q’s loyal customer base by rewarding tradespeople who repeatedly shop with TradePoint.
B&Q trade brand TradePoint has announced the launch of its new app to support how its tradespeople and customers shop with them.
The new app offers customers access to thousands of products from their mobiles, making it fast and easy to get the product or part needed, as well as offering Click & Collect or delivery straight to the job.
The app launch is part of B&Q’s commitment to enhancing the shopping experience of its customers and connecting more of them to its range of products, offering trade professionals exclusive access to services and discounts on all home improvement materials.
The app has been designed with loyalty functionality in mind to give the user full visibility of their membership information with a new loyalty membership area, a first from TradePoint.
Users can use the membership area to see how much they need to spend to make the best savings, helping customers to easily maintain their discount level by being aware of which discount tier they are in, and spending strategically to make the most of their discount level.
Other benefits include being able to shop with the VAT preference turned on or off, depending on how users like to shop, and accessibility for all with bigger buttons, colour contrasting, and light and dark mode. Built on the latest technology, the app is energy efficient without affecting user experience
Commenting on the launch of the TradePoint app, Virginia Wakefield, Ecommerce Director, B&Q said: “At B&Q, we want to make the customer journey as easy and convenient as possible. The launch of our new TradePoint app marks an important step forward in our online offering as we continue to expand the ways our customers can engage with us and shop conveniently. We are excited to get it into the hands of our customers and give them access to all the great functionality of the app.”
The app is available now on both Google Play and Apple App store for Android and IOS.
Refurb by Screwfix to expand as 250.000 products refurbished since 2021
Screwfix is expanding its refurbished product capability even further, having refurbished more than 250,000 products since the initiative launched on Screwfix.com in 2021.
As part of its sustainability strategy, ‘Let’s Fix Tomorrow, Today’, the omnichannel retailer is committed to providing customers with high quality products and keeping products in use for longer with its Refurb By Screwfix range.
As customer appetite for pre-loved products increases, Screwfix’s £1m investment into Refurb by Screwfix will be used to create a bespoke refurbishment area where taps, showers and pressure washers can also be tested and resold on Screwfix.com, significantly expanding the range of products available to customers.
Through the recent investment, the retailer has also installed a packaging machine that precisely measures refurbished products – and new products with damaged packaging - before being repackaged in recycled cardboard. This has reduced the volume of packaging, with any leftover cardboard shredded and used to add further protection when products are shipped.
Through its partnership with iForce, a leading provider of fulfilment and returns solutions, Screwfix has provided customers with access to a broad range of products that have been given a second life on the Screwfix App and Screwfix.com.
This year more than 90,000 products have been processed through the refurb facility in Stafford so far, where they are thoroughly inspected by technicians before being prepared for re-sale or recycling.
Power Tool brands such as DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita and Festool are all available on Screwfix.com with prices up to 20% cheaper than the new equivalent and with a one-year guarantee. This gives tradespeople access to quality tools at a reduced price and has been well-received by Screwfix customers leaving five-star reviews on Screwfix.com.
63% of tools that are returned are either refurbished or have usable parts salvaged to support the refurb of other products. The remaining products are all WEEE recycled with zero waste going to landfill.
Matt Compton, Screwfix Commercial Director said: “At Screwfix we work hard to supply the trade with great quality products that last. When customers return unwanted or pre-loved products, where possible, we want to give them a second life. By partnering with iForce and our vendors we have successfully refurbished and repaired more than 250,000 tools since 2022 that would otherwise been disposed of. With further investment this year we are excited to be able to increase our product offering and capabilities to keep products in use for longer and help our customers get their jobs done quickly, affordably, right first time and more sustainably.”
Clive Murphy, iForce Commercial Director said: “Refurb by Screwfix is very important to us achieving good sustainability credentials and the programme of refurbishment and recommerce of products is a win for Screwfix, a win for the customer and a win for sustainability. With the new packaging machine and additional products were adding to expand our ranges, it’s a really exciting time to be a key partner in Screwfix’s bold sustainability ambition.”
The investment into repair and refurbishment capabilities is key to the ‘Keeping products in use for longer’ pillar of Screwfix’s environmental strategy, Let’s Fix Tomorrow, Today. There are six key priority areas that ensure a meaningful difference to customers, colleagues, community and the planet. The other five areas are eliminating carbon emissions, reducing and recycling waste, sourcing responsibly, selling sustainable products, and providing sustainable packaging.
Screwfix was awarded Retailer of the Year at the 2024 Business Green awards for the breadth of its sustainability activities and the depth of its commitment to a decarbonisation strategy, and was highly commended for Refurb By Screwfix.
Wickes introduces update to its paint visualiser.
Home improvement retailer Wickes has introduced an update to its online Paint Visualiser to enable customers to see what colours will look like in different lights prior to purchase.
Through a first to market lighting function, shoppers will be able to test the complete Wickes paint range, from own brand to Dulux and Crown, to ascertain how paint will appear in both natural and artificial lighting,
Wickes said the visualiser features a three-step process where shoppers can test out various paint shades in each room of the house and see how different lighting, such as natural or artificial, can affect the shade.
They can also choose between a blank canvas or four room types with a different on-trend theme, such as ‘Uplifting Brights’, ‘Mellow Sunset’, ‘Natural Drama’ or ‘Step into Serenity’, to match as close to their personal space to get the most realistic look.
Once happy with their selected paint shade, shoppers can then click “add to basket” to purchase the item.
Lewis Janes, senior category manager of paint at Wickes, said: “With the clocks set to go back and bring darker nights, it’s important to consider what colours will look like in artificial light as well as daylight. Be sure to test out how a shade will look in both natural and artificial light by using the Wickes Paint Visualiser, choosing a colour that stands out in both.”
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Poundland invests £20m in loyalty rewards app launch.
Discount retailer Poundland is investing £20m to support the launch of its first-ever nationwide rewards scheme, Poundland Perks.
As the first discount retailer to launch a loyalty programme, Poundland’s new app will allow customers to save, earn and play across more than 800 stores in the UK.
Launching tomorrow (17 October), the discounter has invested in state-of-the-art tills and faster, simpler self-checkouts, allowing customers to use the app on their phone at checkout.
Offers and digital vouchers from the Poundland Perks app will be available at every manned till by 1st December, while the multi-million pound investment also allows customers to use their points on Poundland.com.
Poundland director of digital Tom Hill said: “Today’s a really important day for our customers as we open up a new digital world that gives them the chance to save, earn and play through their smartphone, making shopping with us even more fun, and even more amazing value – whether in store or online.”
He added: “Thanks to our pilots in Scotland, Northern Ireland and on the Isle of Wight, we’ve created an app that’s convenient and easy for people to use in store, with reward vouchers that help customers save even more.”
“So far, we’ve already had over 500,000 customers sign up through our digital platforms and are looking forward to welcoming many more.”
Customers can download the app in Google Play and Apple App stores and will be able to receive at least 100 perks in the app at one time.
Once a customer has over 5,000 points, they can turn them into digital rewards vouchers to spend in-store or save for a bigger purchase. Perks include deals on Domestos, Pot Noodle, Dove, TRESemmé and Lynx products.
A nationwide promotional tour for Poundland Perks is hitting the road today with a caravan café supported by Nescafé pitching up outside stores in major towns and cities, encouraging customers to download the app.
The Entertainer completes roll out of over 850 toy concessions at Tesco stores.
The Entertainer has completed the roll out of over 850 new toy shops within Tesco stores.
The partnership has helped the toy retailer to expand its retail presence in the UK and Republic of Ireland and has created 1,200 jobs.
The roll out into large Tesco stores was completed over an eight-month period, with an average of 100 new concessions opening each month.
This included 4.5 million toys being delivered to stock the new concessions and a new distribution centre being opened by the retailer.
The Entertainer said the partnership has also enabled significant growth for a number of brands in the TEAL Group portfolio, which includes The Entertainer, value range Addo Play, and early years toy specialist Early Learning Centre.
Andrew Murphy, group chief executive of The Entertainer, said: “Our partnership with Tesco is the biggest and most important step we’ve taken in expanding our unique ‘Toy Box’ retail solution for multi-category retailers, but we look forward to on-boarding further retail partners, at home and abroad, in the coming months.”
Jan Marchant, managing director of home and clothing at Tesco, added: “We’re delighted The Entertainer rollout to Tesco stores across the UK is now complete, meaning even more customers can access their great range of toys A huge thank you to The Entertainer team for their hard work in making this happen over the past year”.
Snapchat to open immersive AR ‘high street’ with Boots and Depop.
Snapchat is launching a new immersive high-street experience, Snap Street, which is set to open in East London this weekend.
The Augmented Reality (AR) space aims to bring the “thrill of shopping for fashion and beauty on Snapchat alive,” allowing shoppers to interact with brands like Depop and Boots on 19 and 20 October.
The Ely’s Yard building in Brick Lane will be transformed into an indoor high street, featuring shop fronts that showcase AR experiences available on the platform.
Free to attend, Snap said the launch aims to elevate the retail experience and offer a glimpse into the future of high street shopping.
Inside, Depop will give visitors the chance to win circular fashion by playing on a claw machine and can make use of a Snapchat x Depop AR mirror.
The Boots stand will introduce shoppers to beauty brands including TikTok famous Made by Mitchell, Beauty Crop, and Milk, enabling them to try out a new makeup look using the Snapchat x Boots vanity mirrors.
Snapchat director of global brand experience Ben Wymer said: “We’ll be showing how our pioneering AR technology allows users to experience on screens how products look and behave in the real world, paving the way for a more personal experience for consumers, and more engaging retail opportunities for brands.
“We couldn’t think of a better way to bring the thrill of shopping for fashion and beauty on Snapchat alive than through Snap Street, a unique and truly immersive retail experience for everyone.”