Dunelm and JRNI enable ‘Deliver to Car’ customer experience during pandemic

This article is brought to you by Retail Technology Review: Dunelm and JRNI enable ‘Deliver to Car’ customer experience during pandemic.

UK-based homewares retailer Dunelm has deployed curbside and Deliver to-Car functionality to its customer offering at its 170 superstores across England, Scotland and Wales.

The solution, from experiential relationship management (XRM) company JRNI, enables contactless click and collect services and improves both staff and customer safety, whilst heightening customer experience.

“Dunelm ran an extensive trial, and JRNI had the most affordable and complete solution. Colleagues have found it easy to manage, and customers have found it easy to use,” said Grace Henry, In-Store Service Project Manager, Dunelm.

Dunelm selected JRNI’s curbside pickup feature to power Deliver to Car, along with capacity management, a digital counter to manage in-store occupancy. All services are features of JRNI Appointments which allows companies to schedule and manage one-to-one experiences to increase revenue and build stronger customer relationships.

Customers pull up in the car park and click a link directly from a store email or text, which they have already received, advising them their order is ready to collect. They are asked to input a few details such as car registration, make and model, which in turn notifies someone from the store who collects the pre-prepared item and delivers it to just outside of the car to keep everyone safe. From a customer perspective, this experience is much quicker and easier than phoning the store.

Dunelm has also trialled JRNI Virtual Queuing through which shoppers can join a queue via phone or a QR code to be notified when there’s room in the store, with lockdown, however, it’s been a lesser priority.

Henry continued, “As a consequence of COVID-19 we wanted a process which would be quick, safe and simple for our customers and colleagues. We knew we could rely on JRNI for rapid deployment and superb support as we already use JRNI Appointments to power our Made to Measure initiative for bespoke curtains, blinds and shutters.”

John Federman, CEO at JRNI, commented, “Anxious consumers need reassurance. They should also be able to expect the right experience, at the right time, in the right place. Given the rapidly evolving nature of this pandemic and subsequently national and local restrictions, what this ‘right experience’ looks like can change in the blink of an eye.“

“The businesses that will be rewarded with brand loyalty and sustained revenues are those like Dunelm, delivering great experiences in-store when they can, and evolving their online offerings alongside.”