Online retailer WatchPilot plots bricks and mortar move

Pureplay WatchPilot is looking to ramp up the customer experience with a high street launch.

Director Tim Harrison says: “Seeing the positive reaction that consumers have given to the high street since coronavirus lockdown restrictions have eased has been encouraging and has given us, as an e-commerce business, much food for thought.”

“Whilst we’re immensely proud of the digital and seamless experience that WatchPilot offers to our customers, this third dimension would extend the experience that we deliver to them and add a further dimension in how we interact with them.”

“Having a bricks and mortar presence would be a worthwhile move for us.”

He adds that this would also provide an opportunity to support not just the retailer’s customers but offers high street representation for its brand partners.

“We pride ourselves on the range of brands that we offer our customers,” Harrisons comments.

“Many of our competitors have a physical store presence which, from both a customer and brand perspective, adds trust and integrity to a business; a physical presence will hopefully allow us to expand the range we offer, making a bricks and mortar footprint crucial for us as we continue to grow.”

London calling?

WatchPilot is yet to decide on a physical location. Its preference is London, although it is also considering alternative locations with a strong high street presence.

Harrison concludes: “We’ve considered the possibility of having a physical store for a while but seeing the positive reaction to non-essential retail reopening has only strengthened our desire to expand into bricks and mortar locations.”

“Whichever location we decide on, we’re currently working on a concept design for an in-store experience to launch later this year, which we're really excited to deliver.”