Boohoo is the latest retailer to add what3words to their checkout, to enable slick and efficient deliveries for customers across their portfolio of brands. This is a massive deal as the boohoo group are huge, consisting of: boohoo; boohooMAN; Nasty Gal; Burton; Dorothy Perkins; Wallis; Warehouse; Coast; Misspap; Karen Millen; and Oasis.
Inaccurate and inconsistent street addresses can cause headaches for e-commerce businesses across the globe. Examples of how the what3words can help include locations such as houses in rural areas which can be hard to find, and delivery entrances to large apartment blocks and estates are not always clear. As for new builds, it can take up to six months for the address to be registered – during which time it may not show up in online address verification – and it can sometimes take even longer for maps and navigation software to be updated.
what3words provides a simple way to communicate precise locations. It has divided the world into a grid of 3 metre squares, and given each square a unique combination of three words: a what3words address. It means that every front door, side door, shopping centre entrance, delivery point, and spot on an unmarked road has a simple and accurate address. This allows users, including the boohoo group couriers and customers, to find, share and navigate to precise locations, anywhere in the world and the technology is available in over 50 languages. For example ///bands.villa.swung identifies a 3 metre square at the top of Primrose Hill that offers one of the best panoramic views of London – the perfect spot for a photoshoot to show off a new outfit.
For over 10 years, boohoo group has been pushing boundaries to bring its customers the best possible shopping experience, and the integration of what3words is testament to this commitment. Customers are now given the option to add a what3words address in addition to their regular street address in their account profiles and at checkout. The information is then passed to delivery partners, allowing for fast and hassle-free delivery to the precise location.
Time rarely moves slower than in the hours and minutes spent waiting for an exciting new purchase to arrive, which makes it even more frustrating when the delivery driver can’t find the right door, or when your order ends up with your neighbour. Adding a what3words address at checkout ensures drivers know exactly where to deliver, getting packages to customers as quickly and efficiently as possible!
– Chris Sheldrick, Co-founder and CEO, what3words
