MANILA – Online fashion retailer Zalora went offline in the Philippines this Wednesday, to open a first-of-its-kind clothing store without cash registers.
For the next three months, shoppers can visit the Zalora pop-up store, try and fit out the goods, ask employees and, then and there, buy the product by ordering on the Zalora portal using the mobile devices and laptops set up inside the shop.
Best of all, bought items are delivered right to the their doorstep within 2 – 3 days or same day via a special rate, eliminating the hassles of having customers carry their shopping haul.
Paulo Campos III, co-founder and CEO of Zalora Philippines, calls the concept “click & mortar” which gives the confidence from traditional shopping with the convenience of e-commerce.
“Everything starts somewhere,” Campos shared with adobo, saying that the pop-up store aims to ease customer doubts about the booming, yet misunderstood channel.
“Aside from technology, education is critical to make Zalora and e-commerce as a whole thrive. The interest is there and what we need is to build trust. The Zalora pop-up store aims to do that.”
This marks the fifth time Zalora opened a pop-up store in the region – twice in Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam. Asked on how it has performed, a Zalora spokesperson said that the pop-up store format contributed around 70% to 90% new customer growth.
Joining Zalora for the project are Globe Telecom, which will offer a special Shopping Bundle for free access to Zalora online on top, Samsung for the smartphones and mobile devices to be lent and Master Card as exclusive payment partner.
The Zalora pop-up store is located at the 5th floor, Shangri-la Plaza Mall (Main Wing), EDSA corner Shaw Boulevard, Mandalutong City and will be open until September 2015.
