AO, formerly known as Appliances Online, is an online-only retailer operating in the UK and Germany. Operations for its Dutch arm ended in 2019. The company was founded in 2000 by John Roberts and the UK head office is located in Bolton, Greater Manchester. It specialises in household appliances and electricals, but has expanded its offer to include small appliances, TVs, computing, smartphones and even gardening products. It acquired Mobile Phones Direct in December 2018 to access the contract and SIM-only markets and launched its own AO Mobile operation in August 2019. AO’s new strategy is to develop an ecosystem of products and services, which will eventually include product rentals, mobile phone contracts, account-based finance, recycling, B2B and third-party logistics alongside its core retail operation. On Black Friday 2019, AO unveiled its plastic plant, announcing its ambition to use its recycling capabilities to recycle materials from old fridges to make new ones.
As ‘non-essential’ stores prepare to reopen, pent-up demand from consumers is likely to be high, but which products and retailers stand to gain the most?
AO boss John Roberts has admitted the business is facing a “daily fight” to source electrical products as supply chains adapt with the coronavirus crisis and Britain’s exit from the EU.
Pureplay electricals specialist AO.com has reported a profit in the first half of the financial year off the back of “strong” revenue growth and greater customer demand.
Leaders from Pret a Manger and AO have revealed why partnerships will be “crucial” to the future strategies of their businesses as they adapt amid the coronavirus pandemic.
While some retailers are concerned about store closures and reduced demand, others are more worried about having enough stock to get through the crucial Christmas period.
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