One water company in the UK has taken the unprecedented step of selling water coolers and water in a major retail store.
Tagged as the ‘one stop water shop’, Fonthill Water and its retail brand Justeau, has launched into office supplies and stationary store Staples across the country; apparently the first time water and coolers have been sold in a mainstream retail environment.
As has been the case in major North American retail stores such as Walmart and Home Depot for some time, retail display stands are now set up in 100 Staples retail stores.
Each stand holds two types of water cooler: a desk-top hot and cold model (£69 plus VAT); and a free standing cool and cold model (£99 plus VAT). Additional products in the display are 15 litre one way PET mineral water bottles, cups and cup dispensers.
One of the main advantages of the rental model for water coolers is the frequent sanitisation visits by the cooler company. Customers purchasing coolers in retail stores will obviously be responsible for their sanitisation, so cleaning kits are also available, including a sanitising solution, scouring pad and tap brush. It is then up to the purchaser to ensure their cooler is kept clean.
Whether the great British public are ready for the retail model will remain to be seen but Justeau are optimistic about the prospects, and see it as the best way yet to enter the residential and small home office market.
Either way, this is definitely one to watch…
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