Ace enters same-day-delivery territory

Ace Hardware Corp. is the latest retailer to explore the potential of same-day delivery. The retailer recently launched a pilot of its Express Delivery program in select stores across the country.

Ace's Express Delivery program allows customers to find the products they need on the retailer's Web site and have them delivered by an associate from their neighborhood Ace the same day. Ace has plans to test a variety of program components in preparation for a national roll-out. The  pilot  currently offers same day delivery of eligible products, for a $5 delivery fee, to customers within five miles of the participating Ace store when they order by 1 p.m. local time.

"With 4,400 stores stocking the most locally relevant product assortments, Ace has a unique opportunity to become a big player in the same day delivery landscape once our pilot program concludes," said John Surane, executive VP, marketing, merchandising, and sales, Ace Hardware. "About 61% of consumers across the country live within five miles of their neighborhood Ace, and that proximity to the household sets us apart. We also think there's a huge value to consumers in having their products delivered by a helpful Ace associate, who they might even recognize from their local store."

Ace's Express Delivery pilot officially rolled out in 33 stores on Jan. 26 in select neighborhoods in Florida, Illinois, Colorado, Maryland, Texas and Arizona. The program is an extension of Ace's existing in-store pickup program, which allows customers to buy online and pickup in store and is currently available at more than 1,600 Ace stores across the country.

Ace is packaging the program as a way to expand on its “helpful brand promise,” and to add new ways to serve the needs of customers, while attracting new customers.

“We also think there's a huge value to consumers in having their products delivered by a helpful Ace associate, who they might even recognize from their local store,” Surane added.