Hunting for George captures last-minute Xmas shoppers

Internet Retailing

22nd Dec 2016

Australian online marketplace Hunting for George has avoided the pre-Christmas slowdown that plagues many e-commerce companies, with its recent introduction of free same-day shipping throughout metropolitan Melbourne.

Hunting for George’s marketing manager Jonno Rodd said the new delivery option has “transformed” its sales in the final week before Christmas.

“Usually this week we see a slowdown in sales, but we are actually up 38 per cent on last week and 160 per cent on this week last year,” Rodd said. The average order value is also up 25 per cent from the same time last year.

The marketplace for homewares, furniture and gifts recently started a trial with delivery startup Shippit, which lets it book in its same-day courier service and get parcels picked up within the hour. Those parcels can then be delivered same-day to customers in metropolitan Melbourne who place their order by 1100 Monday-Friday.

While Rodd said there are still some tweaks and improvements to be made, the platform has solved many of their outstanding requirements. “We have always maintained control of every touchpoint with our customers and this is just another way we can provide value to our customers whilst maintaining control of their entire experience,” Rodd said.