Ocado opens 'DIY & Car' online shop

Etailer Ocado has launched DIY and car care ranges as part of its shift move from a “supermarket to a hypermarket”.

The online grocer has introduced an array of home maintenance and car care lines that will pit against its rival grocers and specialists such as B&Q and Halfords alike.

The ranges include everything from cleaning products and breakdown kits to electric drills and screwdrivers.

The launch is part of a wider strategy by Ocado chief executive Tim Steiner to broaden the business.

Retail Week revealed in July that Ocado intends to launch a raft of specialist websites dedicated to categories including pets and DIY after expanding its non-food range to a ‘hypermarket-level’ of assortment on its main site.

A spokeswoman said: “The new range is made up of two very strong brands - Draper in DIY and the AA in car care. The DIY range is mostly at consumables that customers need to purchase regularly but don’t want to go out of their way to visit a specialist store. Now customers can now shop for these products with their groceries.

“The range does go all the way up to an electric hammer drill, with electric screwdriver, hammer and socket sets in between for the more regular DIY enthusiast.

“This range will continue grow as we move into the winter season.”

Source : Alex Lawson – Retail Week
www.retail-week.com