Introducing (another) Kiwi Innovation

The Opportunity

Elocker (our New Zealand distributor) and Woolworth’s New Zealand, who trade as Countdown, started discussing the use of click and collect lockers in 2019 - before the world had heard of COVID. Countdown’s Click and Collect in-store offer had become increasingly popular, so the extension of its service to include refrigerated and frozen lockers was a logical one. With the change in consumer behaviour during the COVID lockdown’s and in-between lockdowns, Countdown’s decision to go down this path was far-sighted.
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Given the nature of what was required, the procurement process was detailed. The lockers, and the systems that drove them, had to meet Countdown’s exacting standards to ensure easy use for staff and, most importantly, a seamless, intuitive experience for customers. The lockers would also be used inside and outside Countdown stores, so they had to be durable and withstand any of New Zealand’s weather conditions.

The Solution

There was a large body of work completed to meet Countdown’s customer orders. Working backwards from an average shop size and how many bags would be required, Click n Collect worked closely with Elocker and Countdown to develop a solution that met the capacity requirements. The result was a bespoke locker designed, manufactured to meet Countdown’s requirements. 
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The initial trial of three stores were 64-door combinations of Ambient, Frozen and Chilled lockers. Countdown considered several international suppliers. Click n Collect world-leading locker systems combined with Elocker’s high level of service, and understanding of New Zealand retail environments, emerged as the winner.
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While Elocker continue to roll out lockers across New Zealand, Click n Collect continues to roll out software upgrades that delights customers at every step of the way. One mother with children said, 'I so wish these were here when my kids were smaller. These lockers are an absolute blessing'.