Littlewoods puts Net in small shops

LITTLEWOODS, THE high street retailer, is linking up with the convenience store group T&S Stores to bring Internet retailing to the corner shop.

Littlewoods will install computer terminals in six T&S stores early next year as part of a trial that will see the shops act as ordering and collection points. Customers will be able to choose from the 7,000 items available on Littlewoods' new Index website, which is launched today. They will also be able to order from the Index catalogue and have the goods delivered to their homes or their local store.

The deal is part of a plan by Littlewoods to offer shoppers the option of buying from shops, catalogues, interactive television and the Internet. T&S Stores has 1,200 outlets, including 800 convenience stores trading under the One Stop and Dillons names. T&S is gradually converting all its convenience stores to the One Stop format, which open for up to 14 hours a day. It hopes the trial will increase customer footfall, enabling the stores to build increased sales.