The drugstore dm offers a new service. The so-called pick-up stations are intended to save both customers and staff time and nerves.
Even before Corona and the social distancing regulations in force, there was a clear trend in retail: saving time with digital technologies. For example, self-service checkouts are now part of everyday life in many wholesale markets. New solutions like the K-Scan at Kaufland are changing the shopping experience in general. The drugstore dm would also like to use a new service to increase the flow of customers in the stores and avoid long waiting times at the checkout. The solution: a pick-up station on site.
dm introduces pick-up stations throughout Germany
After dm had already successfully tested the new offer, the chain is now introducing the new pick-up stations throughout Germany. During the test, the service was also very well received by customers:
With the dm pick-up stations, we combine the stationary shopping experience in our dm stores with the advantages of online ordering via the “My dm app” or the Online shop dm.de. The response to the test of the pick-up stations was very positive and we continue to expect an increasing number of purchases via our app or our online shop, which is why we expect to equip around 700 dm stores with pick-up stations by the middle of next year.
Sebastian Bayer, dm Managing Director Marketing
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This is how the pick-up station from dm works
That new offer should therefore primarily benefit users of dm’s online services. In the future it will be possible to select the options “express delivery” or “delivery to the dm market” when shopping via the app or the online shop. Customers can then pick up what they have ordered in facilities that are reminiscent of the DHL Packstations. Payment is not made on site at the cash desk, but also online.
A dm pick-up station can hold up to 26 orders. If a station is full, an order ends up in the warehouse. In this case, contact the local staff. In order to pick up the purchase, customers receive a pick-up code in the dm app or by e-mail together with a confirmation of their order. You then have to scan or type this in at the station. The store locator find out at the drugstore.
What needs to be considered?
Overall, the concept is considered very intuitive. With a normal order, the products are usually ready for collection the next day. The delivery time for the express option, on the other hand, is only three hours. Users only have to note that the pick-up times are extended to six hours from an order of 51 products. In addition, with the latter option, only the products that the local market has in stock are available.
For registered customers, the dm pick-up station is free from a purchase amount of 19 euros. Otherwise, 4.95 euros per package are due. This also applies to guest customers who have not set up a dm account. The express version is also free for registered customers, everyone else pays 2.95 euros. The pick-up station is only available during the regular opening hours of the dm market as it is located within the branch.