Myer, Amazon sign new deal

Retail stalwart Myer has opened its doors to giant online rival Amazon for what it’s hoping will be a win-win new partnership.

Myer is hoping that hosting Amazon collection points will bring more foot traffic through its stores.

Myer will turn click and collect counters at its stores across the country into Amazon post offices after it struck a with the world’s biggest digital retailer to open Amazon Hub locations in Myer.

The agreement means shoppers making purchases on Amazon, can choose the option of having the package delivered to a Myer store for collection.

It is hoped that when customers come to pick up their goods they will walk through the Myer store, look at other sales items and perhaps make an unplanned or impulse purchase.

Myer announced on Thursday a partnership with Amazon Australia and the introduction of Amazon Hub – a network of Amazon parcel pick-up points that, from next Wednesday will be located at the well established Myer Hub counters in 21 of Myer’s stores.

“Upon checkout on Amazon.com.au customers select the Myer store location most convenient for them as their delivery location. As soon as their parcel arrives, they receive an e-mail notification with a unique code to present at their nominated Myer store for collection,’’ Myer said in a statement.

Customers then have seven days to collect their parcel from their designated store. Delivery to an Amazon Hub at Myer is available for millions of items sold on amazon.com.au, it works with free expedited delivery and standard delivery, and is available to Amazon Prime customers at no extra cost.

There are plans to expand Amazon Hub into further Myer stores pre-Christmas, including Myer’s regional store locations.

Myer’s chief customer officer, Geoff Ikin said: “This partnership is about combining our services to create greater convenience for our customers. It’s solution led thinking for time poor customers, who can access Myer’s great range of services and brands that we believe Amazon customers will take advantage of when collecting their parcel. So for the customer, for Myer and for Amazon it’s a win-win scenario.”

He said Myer is uniquely placed to offer easy access and parking, and a safe environment where customers can shop its range of products and services, as well as now collect their Amazon purchases at 21 selected locations.

“This will mean more customers coming into store, more regularly, to collect their Amazon parcel, or Myer purchases, and whilst there taking advantage of in-store services, such as beauty services and cafes– truly offering a one-stop-shop that integrates the online and offline worlds.”

Amazon Australia’s director of operations Craig Fuller said Amazon was excited to partner with one of Australia’s most well-known and trusted retailers, Myer, to provide customers around Australia with new and alternative delivery locations for their orders.

“Not only does it provide our customers with more control, but it enables them to enjoy a quick and simple pick-up experience at Myer’s network of conveniently located stores. “Amazon Hub will allow Myer customers to order from a catalogue of millions of products on Amazon, and have them ready for collection at Myer’s well-known store locations.”