Meet 350+ Suppliers. Find New Products. Source Inventory. All at ASI Show Chicago, July 23-25.   Register Now.

News

American Apparel Offers On-Demand Delivery

American Apparel has partnered with logistics provider Postmates to offer on-demand delivery of select garments. Customers in the U.S. can now use the service to buy and receive more than 50 different apparel styles, all in one hour. It’s now offered in 79 American Apparel retail stores nationwide and covers 31 metro areas.

“American Apparel is improving its omni-channel consumer experience via Postmates by becoming their first major fashion retailer to offer ‘on-demand basics’,” said Thoryn Stephens, chief digital officer at American Apparel, in an official statement regarding the service’s launch. “You’ll be able to receive hoodies, T-shirts, socks and more within a 60-minute delivery window — it's great for traveling or last-minute needs.”

The partnership became official after American Apparel and Postmates tested the service in New York City and San Francisco. The next phase, says Stephens, will be to provide Postmates with RFID real-time inventory that allows the app to show customers the most up-to-date merchandise availability.

Retail locations will have access to the Postmates Order app, which will allow American Apparel associates to pick and package the order for the Postmates courier to pick up for guaranteed within-the-hour delivery. Postmates estimates that the process will save 15 to 20 minutes per order and allow for better order accuracy.

“The combination of American Apparel’s real-time, local inventory paired with Postmates’ superior delivery technology and national footprint is changing the way customers can access their favorite brands,” said Holger Luedorf, senior vice president of business for Postmates, in an official statement. “One- or two-day shipping is no longer an option – we are creating entirely new customer expectations.”

A portion of Postmates’ partners, such as Etsy and Starbucks, use the Postmates API to offer on-demand delivery service within their apps. Others, like Chipotle, 7-Eleven and Walgreens, operate storefronts inside the Postmates app. American Apparel joins the latter group as the first official in-app apparel partner for Postmates.

Postmates’ on-demand delivery platform relies on almost 25,000 local couriers who deliver ordered goods within specific regions across the country. It’s currently available in 24 states and Washington, D.C.