Express Dairies is linking up with the Association of Convenience
Stores to launch M-Box, a fulfilment operation offering home delivery
services to dotcoms and high street retailers seeking to tap into the
growing number of consumers ordering goods online.
The venture, first announced earlier this year, will offer fulfilment
from local corner shops and delivery via motorbike couriers and
milkfloats from Express Dairies, which is sinking pounds 4m into the
project. Customer helpline support will be provided by direct marketing
agency Brann, with technical services from Unipower.
M-Box was devised by Geoff Webb, a former IT director at Unilever. Webb
spent 15 years at the consumer products giant, helping to establish the
Jigsaw consortium and developing its interactive marketing activity.
M-Box will position itself to businesses and consumers as a trusted
brand, building a reputation as the company behind the delivery of
services. Concentrating first on the UK market, it is looking to move
into Europe early next year.
M-Box is in advanced talks with a number of undisclosed retailers and
manufacturers to deliver a range of ’web-friendly’ goods, such as
electricals, furnishings and wines.
It hopes to have five deals in place in the next four weeks and 20 by
the end of the year. Its branding is likely to feature on delivery
vehicles and web sites using the service.
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