Retail cooperative Recreational Equipment Inc. has launched free in-store pickup of merchandise ordered online, among the first national retailers and the first outdoor gear retailer to do so.
“Our members continually tell us what they want, and the result is blurring the line between online and retail stores,” says Joan Broughton, vice president of multi-channel programs for REI. “In-store pickup is a natural next step in providing a seamless shopping experience.”
Customers ordering through REI.com or REI-outlet.com now have the option of picking up virtually any of the merchandise they order online at any of REI’s 66 stores throughout the country, free of shipping charges. Utilization of the new service, which will be featured more prominently on both sites this week but was soft-launched earlier, ran about 60% ahead of projections in its first week, the company says. It’s been particularly popular among online shoppers picking up large items such as kayaks and car carriers for stowing gear.
The new service expands to online orders the in-store shipping options the company launched previously for orders placed over the phone or by in-store kiosk.
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