New Zealand’s leading online retailer Countdown, has launched an innovative new app designed to make its online grocery pick-up service even faster and easier for customers. The Countdown click&collect app, available for both Android and iOS, alerts customers that their online grocery order is ready for collection and then lets the store team know when that customer is on their way.
In a first for New Zealand retailers, the click&collect app uses GPS to create a ‘geo-fence’ with a 400-meter radius around a Countdown store. As a customer approaches the store and ‘breaks’ the fence, the in-store team is alerted. A message is sent back to the customer’s device to let them know the store is aware they’re near and is getting their order ready for collection. When the customer arrives, the order is ready for collection at the same time.
Countdown’s Head of Online, Sally Copland, says Countdown has been leading the online shopping industry for more than 20 years and the click&collect app is the latest technology available in the country.
“This is brand new for New Zealand, using proximity technology to improve the customer’s online shopping experience. The beauty of the Countdown click&collect app is it allows our team to have a customer’s order ready as soon as they walk through the door, streamlining the whole process of collection and making sure customers can quickly drop in, pick up their groceries, and get back on their way, “said Copland.
The first store to offer Countdown click&collect was Countdown Mt Roskill, with Countdown Whangarei, Takapuna, Birkenhead, Chartwell, Tauranga, Kilbirnie and Bush Inn now also set up with the ‘geo-fence’.
Countdown is working with technology partner Localz to build the app. Based in Melbourne, Localz uses location and customer data to help businesses improve their delivery processes.
“Countdown is a forward-thinking retailer that has grasped the individual economy – the ‘i-conomy’. Customers know what they want, where they want it and when. The click&collect app delivers this," said Localz Chief Executive Tim Andrew.
Copland said customers only need an email address to set up the app. It also includes a simple two-question survey to gain instant feedback on the experience.
“We’re all about using technology to make it simpler for our team and better for our customers,” said Copland. “The survey feedback will be used to perfect the app so that we are delivering a service that customers want.”
