Click and collect pick up will be available at Westfield malls from today. Photo / Supplied
Click and collect pick up will be available at Westfield malls from today. Photo / Supplied
Westfield malls will from today be operating a drive-thru click and collect service.
Australian mall operator Scentre Group has developed a centralised shopping platform for its retailers allowing shoppers to buy from multiple shops in one transaction. The service is called Westfield Direct.
An order will then be available topick up at a selected time from Westfield's Auckland locations in Albany, Newmarket, St Lukes and Manukau, and Riccarton in Christchurch. Pick up areas will be set up in its basement carparks.
Mainly food operators, restaurants, cafes and florists are on the platform at present, including Inca by Nic Watt, Presshouse Café, Boba Bear, Hulucat Tea & Mocktails, Tai Ping, Tank, The Coffee Club and The Botanist Florist, but the company said it was working with retailers across other categories to get them on board.
"Westfield Direct is an innovation we've fast-tracked to provide customers a safe and easy solution to shop for the items they need in one transaction, from the comfort of their home," McAveety said.
"For our retail partners, Westfield Direct provides a new way for them to reach their customers within government guidelines. The response from our retailers so far has been overwhelmingly positive, with more joining each day and we're looking forward to seeing where the Westfield Direct service takes us over the coming months."
Westfield's click and collect platform is available at all of its locations. Photo / Supplied
Westfield's New Zealand malls have been closed for more than five weeks, with the exception of access to supermarkets, pharmacies and financial services, following the Government's mandatory lockdown to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Retail NZ and the New Zealand Council of Retail Property have been calling for the Government to lift its restrictions preventing shops and shopping malls from opening their doors for non-essential retailing under alert level 3 amid concerns of struggling operators.
This follows news that the country's retail sales were down 80 per cent in the month of April and are down about 79.8 per cent under alert level 3. The pandemic and subsequent impact of lockdown are expected to have long-lasting effects on the sector.
Campbell Barbour, chairman of NZ Council of Retail Property, last month said the council was concerned about the long term economic impact of shopping malls being closed to the public and the wider impacts on the retail sector.
"While the 'click and collect' implementation is an excellent first step, unfortunately it is unlikely to significantly reduce the impact of a prolonged period without retail trade," Barbour said.
"We remain very concerned that the long term economic impact of this pandemic could place thousands of retailers and their tens of thousands of employees in jeopardy."
Retail NZ anticipates thousands of retail staff will be let go once the Government's wage subsidy scheme finishes in coming weeks.
