Dobbies Garden Centres has signed a five year agreement with Speciality Stores, the general merchandise subsidiary of Ocado Group plc, for the provision of online services. These services will enable Dobbies to launch a new online store early next year serving the whole of the UK.
Dobbies will benefit from the technology, software, logistics and expertise employed by Speciality Stores, and its online orders will be fulfilled using Speciality Stores? general merchandise warehouse. This agreement will allow?Dobbies to offer an outstanding online experience, delivering direct to existing as well as new customers across the UK.
The terms of the five year agreement are not being disclosed.
Nicholas Marshall, CEO of Dobbies, said:??Online, excluding food, is now approaching 40% of UK retail sales and rapidly growing. Yet, online garden retailing is just a few percent. The garden centre industry is at least ten years behind the rest of the retail world. The gardening market in the UK is worth ?4 billion. The potential is therefore enormous. For us to partner with Ocado the best online retailer in the UK is a brilliant opportunity for Dobbies, and its customers.?
Andrew Bracey, chairman of Dobbies, added:??In our first year of ownership, we are delighted to announce our partnership with Ocado and its general merchandise subsidiary, Speciality Stores to take the company online across the UK.? Ocado has an outstanding reputation for service and quality. I am confident that together we can grow a very successful online business across the whole of the UK.?
James Matthews, managing director of Ocado General Merchandise, said: ?We are pleased to announce this agreement which will enable the company to launch a new online service for their customers, powered by our technological and logistical know-how. The expertise we have gained through operating our current Speciality Stores businesses and our Fabled joint venture with Marie Claire has allowed us to provide a compelling service proposition to Dobbies and we are excited to be working with them to help grow their online presence.?
