Co-op accelerates ecommerce strategy
The Co-op is to accelerate its ecommerce strategy through a new partnership with Amazon and an extension of its robot delivery scheme as it looks to speed up “rapid kerb to kitchen grocery delivery services.”
The move is part of the retailer’s plans to more than double online sales from £70 million to £200 million by the end of the year.
The Amazon partnership will give Amazon Prime customers the ability to do their full Co-op grocery shop on Amazon.co.uk, with same-day delivery and two-hour scheduled time slots. The scheme will initially launch in Glasgow before being rolled out to other parts of the UK before the end of the year.
The Co-op has also extended its partnership with Starship Technologies, the delivery robot company launched by the co-founders of Skype, which enables groceries to be delivered in as little as 20 minutes. The retailer will increase the number of autonomous vehicles operating and delivering Co-op groceries from 200 to 500 by the end of this year. This means the service will be introduced in five new towns and cities, as well as Cambridgeshire and the North of England. Shoppers using the service will be able to chose from 3,000 grocery items.
Steve Murrells, group chief executive of the Co-op, said: “The pandemic has accelerated changes in consumer shopping trends and we’re driving forward with exciting plans to provide rapid kerb to kitchen grocery delivery services.
“We are delighted to be working with Amazon. Its reach and leading technology and innovative approach means greater convenience for people in their communities. This, combined with our extended partnership with Starship Technologies, marks a significant milestone in our online strategy.”
The Co-op on Amazon offering will be available on Amazon.co.uk and on the Amazon.co.uk app.
Jo Whitfield, chief executive of Co-op Food, said: “As a convenience retailer, the ability to come into stores will always be important to customers, but we also know that they want flexible options online. Our commercial strategy is focused on getting closer to where they are to provide what they need, however and wherever they choose to shop with us.”
