In-store pickup of online orders more consistent at Sears

Although it’s most popular during the holiday season, in-store pickup of online goods bought at Sears.com is proving to be consistently popular year-round, accounting for about 40% of all online orders, Sears, Roebuck and Co. says.

Sears, which began rollling out its in-store pickup service for online orders more than two years ago, has seen its usage spike during holiday shopping seasons. During last year’s Christmas holiday shopping season, it accounted for about 50% of orders.

But since then, the in-store pickup service has consistently accounted for a higher percentage of online orders. "We’re finding that ‘buy online, pickup in store,’ now has a day-to-day frequency of about 40% of orders," a spokesman says, adding that Sears expects that rate to go higher during this year’s holiday season.

Sears attributes the consistent use of in-store pickup to its completed roll-out early this year to all of Sears 870 stores and a stepped-up advertising campaign that promotes in-store pickup in weekly circulars.