Warehouse gears up for e-commerce launch

New Zealand’s biggest retailer is in the final stages of launching an e-commerce site, according to media reports.

The Warehouse Group, which operates The Warehouse, Warehouse Stationery, Noel Leeming and Torpedo7 stores, is reportedly planning to launch an online-only offering called TheMarket next month.

The website, which is currently accessible in beta form at www.themarket.com/nz, advertises a wide range of product categories, including men’s, women’s and kids’ clothing, homewares, health and beauty, toys and games, electronics, sports and more, and in-demand brands, including Billabong, P.E Nation, Cooper St, Matchbox and Kevin Murphy.

The range would put TheMarket in competition with cross-border e-commerce players, such as The Iconic and Asos, which have localised their offerings to the New Zealand market, where online shopping currently makes up just 8.1 per cent of total retail spend, according to the latest NZ Post report.

Like The Iconic and Asos, it seems TheMarket will operate as an online marketplace, where brands pay a fee to sell products directly to customers via the platform. On the website, TheMarket says it will provide access to 3.5 million active customers, localised customer service and last-mile delivery and return network.

TheMarket will offer customers a subscription option that would wipe the delivery on all orders.