The Co-op launches a 24-hour delivery service in major UK cities to meet increasing demand.
- The initiative begins in London, Leeds, and Manchester, areas with strong online grocery needs.
- Local demographics and delivery logistics influence store selection for this service.
- The Co-op partners with Just Eat, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats for deliveries.
- Extended service aims to capture a significant portion of the quick commerce market.
The Co-op has introduced a 24-hour online grocery delivery service, targeting city centre customers to cater to rising demands for swift deliveries. Initiating this month, the rollout includes stores located in London, Leeds, and Manchester, specifically chosen for their substantial online grocery demand during unconventional hours.
The decision to select these particular locations considers various factors such as local demographics, availability of delivery drivers, and current round-the-clock store staffing for stock replenishment. This strategy ensures that operations are both efficient and responsive to community needs.
Deliveries will be managed through collaborations with renowned ecommerce partners Just Eat, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats. These partnerships aim to maximise delivery efficiency and customer satisfaction, capitalising on each platform’s strengths.
Beyond the 24-hour service, the Co-op has expanded its online offerings in more than 1,600 of its stores to better service evening shoppers. This expansion aligns with the company’s goals to dominate over a third of the quick commerce market.
According to a recent study conducted by the convenience retailer, over 40% of quick commerce customers expressed willingness to use a delivery service between 11pm and 5am. Additionally, the service is especially popular among Gen Z customers, with more than half of those aged 18 to 24 showing strong interest.
Chris Conway, Co-op’s ecommerce director, highlighted, “Meeting the needs of our member-owners and customers is at the heart of our approach and is aligned to our strategy to grow our share of the quick commerce market through both our own online shop and strategic partners.”
Conway also addressed societal shifts, noting that “changing lifestyles and shift working is increasing the requirement for online groceries to be delivered quickly and conveniently at non-traditional times of the day.”
The Co-op predicts that more than 80% of the UK population will have access to its products either through its online store or through its delivery partners. This ambitious move comes as others in the sector, such as Tesco, develop their delivery capacities, including new technological solutions to enhance online order fulfilment.
The Co-op’s delivery extension signifies a strategic move to fulfil growing demands and capture substantial market share in quick commerce.
