Argos is testing a same-day delivery service in London allowing Check & Reserve customers to have their purchases couriered to them in as little as 90 minutes.
The retailer has teamed up with same-day delivery start-up Shutl for the trial, which will last six months. The service is available to customers with a central London postcode with prices starting at £4.95.

Eligible shoppers will be able to choose the Shutl delivery option on their reservation page, with the option to 'Shutl now' or 'Shutl later'. The second option allows customers to choose a delivery time within a 48-hour reservation window.

Once they confirm their order, Shutl will send them a tracking email which lets them watch their delivery process in real time on a GPS-enabled map.

The service is being made available for a one-hour delivery slot between 9am and 9pm, seven days a week.

Argos director of marketing operations Ross Clemmow said: "This service provides us with a flexible and cost effective delivery solution to extend the potential of Check & Reserve. Check & Reserve customers in the trial catchment area will still receive the convenience of securing stock availability, with the optional choice and convenience benefit of having it delivered to them fast, at a time that suits."

Argos' parent company Home Retail Group recently reported that 22% of Argos' total sales for the full year (2009/2010) were from customers using the online Check & Reserve service for store collection, with this channel growing by 36% for a second year running. More than 14,000 products are currently available for reservation on the Argos website.