BR Video: Public unconvinced over collection stores for online retailers

It was recently reported that Amazon had launched a property search to find high street stores where consumers would be able to pick up bigger items such as TVs and PCs rather than have them delivered to the home.

Additionally the stores would also allow Amazon to circumvent the effects of further Royal Mail industrial action.

But despite the benefits, some consumers thought the act of picking up a product from a store negated the idea of online shopping. "If I'm going to buy online, if it's free delivery, I might as well get it delivered straight to me," said one man.

He was backed up by one woman, a marketer who said: "I don't know if I'd order it and pick it up but I would probably purchase something from the store. You take the time to buy on the internet because you don't have to go out to the shops."

The idea did have some support. One man who professed to buying a lot of home entertainment products from Amazon and competitor Play.com said the existing delivery system had its downsides.

"With free delivery there have been a few times when things don't turn up and then it's a drawn out process to get the product out of them or a refund. So maybe if there was a central point that would be easier."

Another said: "It is easier if it comes straight to your door but not if you're working Monday to Friday and have to get it from the Post Office."

This article was first published on brandrepublic.com