Electricals retailer AO has announced today its first-ever in-store experience will launch at Tesco Extra in Middleton, later this month.
This is the first of five stores-within-a-store as part of a partnership trial with Tesco. The opening is part of AO’s strategy to reach even more customers with a huge range of products and awesome service and also marks the online retailer’s first in-store presence.
The move will see AO expand the electricals category for Tesco customers in its Middleton store.
Customers will be able to browse and purchase from all the categories (excluding mobile phones) available on AO.com using its world-class product content.
This includes larger electricals such as washing machines, fridges, and TVs that can be ordered for home delivery as well a range of smaller products such as kettles and toasters that can be purchased off the shelf.
“We’re excited about this new partnership with AO which will give customers access to a broader range of products and AO’s technical expertise on electrical goods. Our Middleton Extra store is the first of five stores to benefit from an AO concession and we’re looking forward to seeing how customers respond to this trial.”
(Tony Hoggett, Tesco’s Chief Operating Officer)
AO will occupy 2,088 square foot of retail floor space and will be situated at the back left-hand side of the store.
It will feature facilities such as a dedicated open kitchen area with breakfast bar where customers can ask for help and advice from our in-store experts, digital displays, TV wall and ‘AO-To-Go’ section.
The AO store will welcome customers for the first time at 09:00 on Thursday 22nd October and to celebrate the opening, customers will be offered a range of deals.
“As a business with its roots firmly in the North West, we are delighted that our first store is opening in Middleton. Tesco serves millions of people each week and we have always said that AO delivers the best way to buy electricals so we’re excited about bringing the AO experience to even more customers through this in-store trial later this month.”
(Danny Emmett, AO’s Chief Operating Officer)
The opening of the new store has also created six new jobs, all of which will be staffed by AO colleagues and have been trained by long-experienced “AOers”, helping them to feel part of the wider AO business and understand its unique culture.
The new roles will assist customers in choosing the right electrical product for them and follow the AO promise of outstanding service.
“We’re thrilled to welcome the AO team and to show our customers the new AO store. We look forward to offering customers access to our full range of electricals products, so we can bring exceptional online content, product expertise and customer service in a store environment.”
(Sharon Curran, Store Manager at the AO Middleton store)
The AO store will be open from 09:00 – 20:00 Monday – Saturday and 10:00 – 16:00 on Sunday. It will be the first of five stores, all set to open later this year as part of a six-month trial.
For more information on AO, please click here.
