Asda has announced it is trialing an in-store ordering service for non-food products in three of its supermarket stores.
The “Argos-style” service will allow customers to order goods from in-store kiosks or an online catalogue . Orders will then be dispatched from an on-site warehouse to the checkout.
Asda chief executive Andy Clarke said the Asda Extra trials have begun in the retailer’s stores in Bradford, Glasshoughton in Castleford and Hyde, Greater Manchester.
In an interview with the Financial Times, he said: “Some stores can not trade the full general merchandise offer, but in some stores they have warehouse space that is not being used that we can turn over to this way of operating.”
He said the trial was already showing “some positive signs” and added that if it proves successful, it could be rolled out to other Asda stores across the country over the next five years.
Mr Clarke declined to comment on speculation regarding Asda’s reported interest Home Retail Group, which owns Argos and Homebase, but did not rule out plans to acquire the group.
