American Apparel Offers Same-Day Delivery

Clothing brand American Apparel has formally partnered with startup Postmates to offer consumers on-demand delivery, including within the hour, of “basic” clothing pieces, which includes standard tees, sweatshirts, body suits, pants, leggings and dresses. The service initially will be offered in 79 American Apparel stores throughout the U.S., spanning 31 metropolitan areas.

For the initial lanch, delivery fees will be $1.99, but Postmates is still determining what the cost for delivery will be after the initial few weeks of the offering, according to reports.

This official partnership and nationwide launch comes after Postmates and American Apparel tested the program in a few major markets, such as New York City and San Francisco. By formally partnering with American Apparel, Postmates is able to feature the retailer’s actual, live inventory. Through Postmates Order, a product that launched just a few weeks ago, American Apparel can manage their orders and deliveries via the app and iPad provided by Postmates.

“American Apparel is improving its omni-channel consumer experience via Postmates by becoming their first major fashion retailer to offer on-demand basics,” American Apparel chief digital officer Thoryn Stephens said. “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.”

For the second phase American Apparel expects to integrate the experience with RFID for real-time inventory availability, said Stephens.

Postmates has two kinds of partners — those that use the Postmates API, like Etsy and Starbucks, to offer on-demand delivery services inside their apps, and those whose storefronts live within the Postmates app, like Chipotle, 7-Eleven, Walgreens and, now, American Apparel.