Abercrombie & Fitch has expanded same-day delivery across all 540 Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie kids, Hollister and Gilly Hicks stores, through partnerships with Uber, Shipt, Postmates, Roadie and software provider Delivery Solutions, within a limited range from its locations based on the provider.
More retailers are looking to make same-day delivery a differentiator ahead of the holidays, especially as Amazon has stumbled in terms of its vaunted one-day promise for Prime members as well as in the top and bottom line, and store fleets are seen as a key asset for getting out online orders nearby.
And with major carriers challenged and limiting the volume of parcels they’ll accept from retailers in Q4, especially unprofitable profiles, more companies are pursuing options with new shipping, delivery and fulfillment partners and technology solutions to ensure on-time performance.
Each Abercrombie brand’s website features a “Get It Fast” filter to locate products available for same-day delivery, or shoppers can choose the same-day option at checkout. They can opt into tracking updates via text. The retailer charges $10 for the same-day service, and a wide assortment across its offerings at all brands is available.
“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 Vice President, Supply Chain and Procurement at Abercrombie & Fitch in a release. “We always aim to provide an excellent fulfillment experience for our customers that includes choice and fast delivery options.”
The expansion of same-day delivery is part of Abercrombie’s efforts to overhaul its supply chain and fulfillment operations as the industry overall faces severe and ongoing challenges. This includes opening a new distribution center last month in Phoenix, run by 3PL partner GXO Logistics. The facility features automation and intelligent analytics, including AI and machine learning, for fast fulfillment to customers on the west coast.