Co-op is expanding the use of autonomous grocery delivery robots to a second UK town.
The convenience retailer launched its ground-breaking same-day robot deliveries in early 2018 through a partnership with Starship Technologies. The service offers emission-free delivery of online orders in Milton Keynes and surrounding areas including Newport Pagnell and Bletchley.
The autonomous service is now being expanded to Northampton, serving around 5,000 households within a three miles radius of a Co-op food store in Wootton Fields.
Co-op stated that it has ambitions to use as many as 300 of Starship’s robots by the end of 2021 across more towns and cities.
Chris Conway, the retailer’s Head of E-Commerce, said: “We continue to look for new ways to innovate and expand access to our products and services to deliver a truly compelling offer for consumers. Our partnership with Starship enables Co-op to offer further availability, flexibility and choice to meet community shopping needs for on-demand convenience.”
Andrew Curtis, Head of UK Operations at Starship Technologies, added: This is the next step in our growth ambitions as Starship looks to further roll out our services across the UK following increasing demand during the pandemic.”
Co-op has been ramping up its online service during 2020 to meet surging demand. It is now on track to offer deliveries from 1,000 of its stores by the end of this year via its own online shop and with partners such as Starship Technologies, Deliveroo, Buymie and Pinga.
NAM Implication:
- Best anticipate a roll-out as fast as the Co-op can manage…
