Co-op to launch ‘walking deliveries’

THE Co-op says it will be the first UK supermarket to launch “walking deliveries” for households and workplaces up to a 15-minute walk from its stores.

They are expected to operate from 200 stores this year following successful trials in Cornwall.

The rollout is likely to include smaller towns and rural villages often considered “offline” by rapid home delivery providers who focus on urban areas, said the Co-op.

The company also unveiled plans to grow its online business by a further 50 per cent to £300 million by the end of this year.

Online services are now available at more than 2,000 of its stores in towns, villages and cities.

Increased use of robots also forms part of the firm’s plans, with the autonomous home delivery robots taking to the streets of Cambridge for the first time this week in partnership with Starship Technologies.

Co-op robot deliveries are now a familiar sight in Milton Keyes, where they were first launched, and Northampton.

Chris Conway, Co-op’s ecommerce director, said the focus is on convenience, adding: “Our aim is to be the most convenient home delivery service and we continue to innovate to meet the needs of consumers.”