A number of retailers, especially grocers, have rolled out collection services from a car parking spot, but US retail corporation Target will go one step further this spring as it allows shoppers to return items from their car.
Target Drive Up services initially gave US shoppers the ability to pick up orders placed through their Target.com account without leaving their vehicle. Now, after a successful pilot test, the retailer is rolling out the ability to make a product return through Drive Up to Target stores.
Consumers can return most new, unopened items within 90 days of purchase — and up to a year for Target-owned brands — for free. It expects to reach all of its 2,000 locations by the end of the summer.
“Our journey to expand our fulfilment options starts with making it easier for our guests to shop with us,” said Mark Schindele, Target’s executive vice president and chief stores officer.
“That’s why we’re launching Drive Up Returns. Allowing our guests to process a return from the comfort of their car underscores our commitment to helping our guests shop — and return — however they choose.”
Drive Up Returns is designed to be convenient, to be “a no-stress option for guests with kids or pets in tow, those with disabilities — or anyone who wants or needs to stay in the comfort of their car and keep moving to their next destination”.
The new returns offering also speeds up the process. Target said instead of dropping off a package at a mail carrier to be shipped and then processed, customer can hand it over directly to a Target Drive Up team member and get a refund much faster.
The new offer adds to Target’s existing same-day services such as Drive Up, Order Pickup and Same-Day Delivery with Shipt. It has also introduced time-saving features like the Shopping Partner option in the Target app, which allows guests to send someone else to pick up their Drive Up or Order Pickup purchase, and the “Forgot Something?” button, which lets you order forgotten items after a Drive Up or Order Pickup order has been placed.
