RICHMOND, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Aug. 8, 2013) - Investment in e-commerce has paid off for Canadian retailer London Drugs. The company re-launched a new website experience and updated e-commerce store in November, 2012 and has earned triple digit sales growth since the launch as well as an increase in the amount of orders placed in markets where no bricks-and-mortar stores exist.
"We're reaching new customers well beyond our regional stores," says Clint Mahlman, senior vice president and COO, London Drugs. "Online sales and delivery in British Columbia and Alberta are high with Ontario and Quebec our next two biggest markets and Saskatchewan and Manitoba close behind. Our product mix, competitive pricing and commitment to service beyond the online transaction is proving to be a significant advantage for London Drugs online customers."
London Drugs has added two additional fulfillment centres in order to meet demand and to better serve the Northern Alberta, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime markets, and to reduce shipping times and delivery charges for customers across Canada.
Recently, the portrait of Canada's digital enterprises has been bleak with criticism that Canadian businesses are behind their American counterparts in adopting robust e-commerce platforms.
London Drugs made the decision to prioritize investment, time and attention to this increasingly important area years ago and has had an e-commerce presence since 2002. The new and improved LondonDrugs.com bolsters convenience for customers through features like customized shopping "finder" tools taking customers through a series of questions about what they are looking for, resulting in a succinct personalized product round-up in beauty, cameras and computers - now top selling categories on the site.
"One interesting development has been the growth of our Baby Supplies category, which is up over 200 per cent," says Josh Johnston, London Drugs ecommerce manager. "This speaks to the growing influence busy parents have in the e-commerce space. They are researching products and solutions to parenting challenges online and are making their purchases from home."
The retailer has also added a software library that allows customers to pay for and then immediately download their purchases.
Customers picking-up products ordered online at any London Drugs bricks-and-mortar location is another way the company is catering to consumers who prefer the convenience of browsing online but require their purchases in a short amount of time. Time pressed customers are now able to pick up their online order at any of London Drugs 77 bricks and mortar stores, within two hours of ordering.
"We realize immediacy is key for many consumers. In-store pickup orders accounted for a sizable per cent of the total online orders over the past two months so it's definitely an area we will continue to focus on," says Johnston. "We also have multiple technological initiatives underway that will allow our customers to receive offers that cater specifically to their interests. It's the ultimate personalized window-shopping experience," he adds.
London Drugs, a leader in Canada in online photobook, gifting, and photofinishing services has also continued to see tremendous growth in its online PhotoLab store. Customers appreciate the convenience of being able to create photo gifts from home as keepsakes for themselves and loved ones. Their photographic work can be produced, and be delivered or picked up by family and others in distant places across the country, or enjoy the images online through the online lab's photo sharing service. http://photolab.londondrugs.com/
Last week London Drugs' e-commerce store launched Interac Online, allowing Scotiabank, RBC, TD and BMO banking customers to use Interac to pay for online purchases. The site also accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Visa Debit and PayPal.
ABOUT LONDON DRUGS
Founded in 1945, B.C.-based London Drugs has 78 stores in more than 35 major markets throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba including its online store www.londondrugs.com.
London Drugs offers consumers a range of products from digital cameras and cosmetics to computers and televisions. Renowned for its creative approach to retailing, the company employs more than 7,000 people with pharmacy and health care services being the heart of its business. Committed to innovation and superior customer service, London Drugs has established itself as a reputable and caring company and continues to position itself for future growth and development.
For London Drugs' 77 physical locations visit the new Store Locator.
London Drugs Social Media:
London Drugs Blogs:
Contact Information:
To schedule an interview, please contact:
Wendy Hartley
604-817-2758
wendy@hartleypr.com
@WendyHartley