24 July 2017
Pick n Pay has launched its online distribution centre in Gauteng – the first of its kind in the province.
In the past, orders placed by Gauteng customers via Pick n Pay Online were fulfilled by a store close to the customer’s location.
“There are significant advantages to serving customers with a dedicated facility instead of picking online orders from a store near to their delivery location,” said Michael Cotterell, head of Pick n Pay Online.
• “Firstly, availability improves as online customers are not competing with customers in store for products.
• Secondly, freshness improves as the supply chain is shortened and the integrity of the cold chain is enhanced. Products move directly from our distribution centre to the customer and do not go via a store, thereby improving shelf-life for customers.”
• “Thirdly, we are able to significantly increase the range of products we offer to our customers. Our facility has the capacity to hold almost three times the number of product lines as a regular store.”
Big business
According to Richard van Rensburg, deputy CEO of Pick n Pay, the distribution centre represents a significant investment in Pick n Pay’s online business – one of the fastest-growing divisions in its business.
“It is the next step in our journey to build an advanced, convenient and simple omni-channel shopping experience for our clients. Later this year, we will launch a new online shopping website and an upgraded version of the Pick n Pay mobile app.”
The new distribution centre follows the opening of the first dedicated online facility that was opened in Cape Town 18 months ago, Cotterell said.
“We experienced a significant acceleration in sales growth after the facility went live, and we are confident our Gauteng customers will benefit from a similar facility,” he said.
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