Westfield owner deploys drive-thru click and collect service for its shopping centers

Starting today, Westfield shopping centers will operate a drive-thru click and collect service.

Australian shopping center operator Scentre Group has developed a centralized shopping platform for its retailers that enables shoppers to shop at multiple stores in a single transaction. The service is called Westfield Direct.

An order will be available to pick up at a selected time from Westfield’s Auckland locations in Albany, Newmarket, St Lukes and Manukau, and Riccarton in Christchurch. The collection areas will be established in their parking lots in the basement.

Mainly food operators, restaurants, cafes and florists are on the platform today, including Inca by Nic Watt, Presshouse Café, Boba Bear, Hulucat Tea & Mocktails, Tai Ping, Tank, The Coffee Club and The Botanist Florist, but the The company said it was working with retailers in other categories to join.

The platform launched in Westfield shopping malls in Australia about two weeks ago and was well received, said a spokeswoman for the ASX-listed company.

Scentre Group director of customer experience Phil McAveety said the platform was developed to respond to Covid-19’s changing constraints.

READ MORE: Figures Show ‘Butchery’ in Retail Sector During Level 3 Block

“Westfield Direct is an innovation we have accelerated to provide customers with a safe and easy service
solution to buy the items you need in a single transaction, from the comfort of your home, “said McAveety.

“For our retail partners, Westfield Direct offers a new way to reach their customers within government guidelines. Our retailers’ response so far has been overwhelmingly positive, with more affiliates every day and we look forward to seeing where Westfield is. Direct service takes us over the next few months. “

Westfield’s shopping malls in New Zealand have been closed for more than five weeks after the mandatory government shutdown to stop the spread of Covid-19.

Retail NZ and the New Zealand Council of Retail Property have been calling on the government to lift its restrictions to prevent stores and malls from opening their doors to the public under Alert Level 3 amid concerns of struggling operators.

This follows news that the country’s retail sales fell 80 percent in April and 79.8 percent below alert level 3. The pandemic and the subsequent impact of the blockade are expected to have lasting effects. in the sector.

Campbell Barbour, chairman of the New Zealand Commercial Property Council, said last month that he was concerned about the long-term economic impact of shopping centers closed to the public and the broader impacts on the retail sector.

“While ‘click-and-pick’ implementation is an excellent first step, unfortunately it is unlikely to significantly reduce the impact of a long period without retail,” Barbour said.

“We remain very concerned that the long-term economic impact of this pandemic could endanger thousands of retailers and their tens of thousands of employees.”

Retail NZ anticipates that thousands of retail employees will be laid off once the government’s wage subsidy scheme ends in the coming weeks.

• Covid19.govt.nz – The official government Covid-19 advisory website