Abercrombie continues digital shift with same-day delivery
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is launching a same-day delivery service across its U.S. store fleet.
The specialty apparel retailer is partnering with Uber, Shipt, Postmates, Roadie, and software provider Delivery Solutions to expand its fulfillment capabilities and allow customers to receive deliveries from its stores within the same day. (Customers much live within a certain radius to their local store to be eligible for same-day delivery.) The new service is available at more than 540 Abercrombie & Fitch, Abercrombie Kids, Hollister, and Gilly Hicks locations.
Customers can now use the Abercrombie & Fitch, Abercrombie Kids, Hollister, Gilly Hicks, and Social Tourist websites and mobile apps to shop the full range of apparel inventory that is available in their local stores for same-day delivery. Each brand’s website features a “Get It Fast” filter to more easily find products that are in-stock, or shoppers can choose the same-day delivery option for available items at checkout.
Once the same-day delivery order is placed, customers can opt to receive tracking updates via text to accurately determine when their order will arrive.
This initiative is part of Abercrombie & Fitch Co.’s ongoing effort to transform its supply chain and deliver capabilities that best meet its customers’ needs and shopping preferences. That initiative includes the company’s new distribution center in the Phoenix metropolitan area, which was opened in partnership with GXO Logistics in October. This automated facility features advanced automation and intelligent analytics, including AI and machine learning, to deliver products more quickly and efficiently to Abercrombie & Fitch Co.’s customers in the West Coast market.
In addition, Abercrombie entered a new partnership with Zappos in August 2021. Zappos is now the apparel retailer’s exclusive U.S. e-commerce partner, including for women’s and kids’ merchandise. In addition, Abercrombie, in collaboration with Zappos, is launching a footwear collection for women.
The shoe line, whose eight styles include an ankle boot, court sneaker and strappy heel, will be available only on abercrombie.com and zappos.com., with prices ranging from $99 to $199. Each footwear style is designed to coordinate with a popular Abercrombie & Fitch denim style.
And in May 2021, Abercrombie’s Hollister Co. division introduced a new brand, called “Social Tourist,” featuring trend-forward fashions inspired and co-created by two social media stars and influencers - TikTok celebrities Charli and Dixie D’Amelio.
In its most recent fiscal third quarter, the company’s digital net sales fell 3% to $376 million, but rose 52% compared to 2019. Digital sales represented 44% of total second-quarter sales.
“We’re thrilled to add same-day delivery as another option in our portfolio of omnichannel services, which also include purchase online pick up in-store, curbside pickup, reserve in store, ship from store and traditional parcel home delivery. Same-day delivery supports our goals of meeting our customers where they are and delivering our product to them when and how they want it, particularly as we approach the holiday season,” said Larry Grischow, executive VP, supply chain and procurement at Abercrombie & Fitch Co. “We always aim to provide an excellent fulfillment experience for our customers that includes choice and fast delivery options. We're looking forward to partnering with Uber, Shipt, Postmates, Roadie and Delivery Solutions to serve our customers across the U.S.”