Co-op is aiming to cut queues and improve the convenience of its click and collect with the trial of a dedicated external service hatch to enable customers to grab their shopping and go.
The service has launched in the company’s Lewes Road, Brighton store which is one of its busiest in the UK for click and collect orders. It will mean online shoppers won’t have to go in store and queue to collect the orders.
Co-op expects to have approaching 2,000 of its stores offering click and collect by the end of the year. Stores act as micro-distribution hubs with groceries selected fresh in local stores and available for collection, or delivered quickly, in the local community.
Chris Conway, Co-op’s ecommerce director, said: “We know that as a convenience retailer, the ability to come into stores is important to customers, but we also know that they want flexible options online and the ability to shop with speed. Our new trials will not only speed up click and collect but also reduce queuing times for those who shop in store.”
Co-op has rapidly scaled its online offer both through its own online shop and with partners including Deliveroo – where Co-op is the most widely available supermarket on the Deliveroo app; Amazon Prime and, autonomous robot deliveries with Starship Technologies.
