Bunnings to go online by 2020

Bunnings says it will offer online shopping by 2020.

The Australian-owned hardware store has announced it will introduce click and collect to New Zealand shoppers next year after a staged roll-out across the Tasman.

The announcement came with Bunnings’ end-of-year results.

Earnings before tax were A$1.6 billion (NZ$1.7B) to June 30, 8.1 per cent higher than the previous year, while total sales grew by 5.2 per cent.

Bunnings managing director Michael Schneider said the company was looking to expand its range across all sales platforms.

‘‘While it is still early days in respect to our online offer, rest assured our investment in data, digital and the in-store experience, which will always be central to our DNA, will be focused on how we continue to deliver a competitive and relevant offer wherever and whenever customers choose to shop,’’ Schneider said.

‘‘The quality of this offer will ensure we continue to be chosen and trusted by our customers.’’

Schneider said Bunnings would offer click-and-collect services and would invest in its online transactional platform to deliver a complete online shopping experience.

Across Australia and New Zealand, Bunnings has 267 warehouses, 75 smaller format stores and 32 trade centres.

A further 13 stores are under construction.

Schneider said the results reflected the hard work of the team despite softening in the residential market.

Click-and-collect has become increasingly popular for big-box retailers.

Mitre 10 has had click-andcollect for several years and The Warehouse introduced the option in 2013.

Click-and-collect allows retailers to sell larger items online. Customers then pick up the product instore.

Supermarkets have also offered the click-and-collect option for customers.

Earnings before tax were A$1.6 billion (NZ$1.7B) to June 30, 8.1 per cent higher than the previous year.