Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
Ace Hardware this week announced the launch of a mobile app for iPhone devices and the roll-out of in-store pickup to its retailers, a new feature that will allow customers to check their local store’s available inventory on acehardware.com, go in-store to make their purchase or place their order online and pick it up as soon as the same day. “The launch of Ace’s iPhone app and introduction of in-store pickup is all about being helpful and convenient in whatever way consumers want to access Ace,” said Jeff Gooding, Director, Consumer Marketing, Ace Hardware Corporation. “With the increasing consumer usage of digital tools to help complete home maintenance and repair projects and the continued rapid growth of smartphones, we want to ensure our customers receive the same helpful experience with us on our digital platforms as they do at their neighborhood Ace.”
iPhone App
In addition to allowing consumers to conduct research, read reviews and purchase all products available at acehardware.com, the Ace iPhone app also allows users to access how-to videos and step-by-step project information from their mobile devices. The mobile app also offers consumers the ability to scan product barcodes and QR codes to review product information and reviews while in-store, share product information through their social channels and receive push notifications with special offers and content. Members of Ace Rewards®, a loyalty program that allows consumers to accumulate rewards points based on dollars spent, can use the app to access a virtual Ace Rewards card, check point totals, review purchase histories and update profile information. First-time members also will be able to sign up for the program through the app, which is now available for free download from the Apple App Store. Ace also has plans to release a mobile app for Android devices with the same features and functionality as the iPhone app, which will be released later this spring.
In-Store Pickup
After completing a series of successful pilot programs with select retailers, Ace is making the in-store pickup program available to retailers across the country beginning this month and aims to have more than 2,000 stores participating in the program by September 2014. Since 2003, consumers have been able to shop acehardware.com and ship their order for free to their local Ace for pickup. With the introduction of in-store pickup, consumers will now be able to get their desired products more quickly by eliminating shipping time for in-stock products.
