Co-op introduces a 24-hour delivery service for city centre shoppers, responding to increased demand for online groceries at unconventional times.
- The service debuts in London, Leeds, and Manchester, targeting areas with high demand and availability of delivery drivers.
- Groceries will be delivered via partnerships with Just Eat, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats.
- Extended online shopping hours for over 1,600 Co-op stores now allow purchases late into the night.
- The initiative aims to capture a significant share of the quick commerce market, responding to evolving consumer behaviours.
The Co-op has taken a significant step forward by launching a 24-hour online grocery delivery service, specifically aimed at city centre consumers who need grocery access at non-traditional hours. This move comes as a response to the rising demand for rapid and convenient delivery services.
The inaugural rollout of the round-the-clock delivery service will occur in major cities like London, Leeds, and Manchester. These locations were strategically selected based on their local population demographics, the density of available delivery drivers, and whether the stores are already operational around the clock for restocking.
In a bid to enhance convenience, Co-op is collaborating with major e-commerce platforms such as Just Eat, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats to manage the fulfilment of their deliveries. This partnership ensures that customers have seamless access to groceries, regardless of the time of day.
Furthermore, Co-op has extended its online shopping availability in more than 1,600 of its stores, allowing customers to place orders later into the evening than ever before. This extension aligns with Co-op’s strategic goals to strengthen its presence in the quick commerce market.
The strategic implementation of the 24-hour delivery service is a response to consumer research indicating that over 40% of quick commerce users are interested in late-night delivery options. Among Gen Z shoppers aged 18 to 24, this interest peaks at 52.3%.
Chris Conway, Co-op’s e-commerce director, stated, “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.” He highlighted the importance of adapting to changing societal behaviours such as different lifestyles and shift working patterns.
Co-op’s predictions suggest that over 80% of the UK population will soon be able to access its products through either its online store or delivery partners. This expansion is part of a broader trend in the grocery industry, as rivals like Tesco further develop their own delivery solutions to meet modern consumer needs.
Co-op’s new initiative represents a pivotal move to enhance accessibility and convenience in urban grocery shopping.
