Co-op and Starship Technologies have partnered with North Northamptonshire Council to roll out their autonomous grocery delivery to residents across Wellingborough, Higham Ferrers and Rushden.
Expansion of the service means 45,000 residents across 33,000 households are able to access on-demand grocery delivery from four Co-op stores in the area. Groceries are picked in the local stores which act as micro-distribution hubs in the community, with products delivered in as little as one hour or less.
Starship’s delivery robots have already become a fixture across local communities in Milton Keynes and in Cambourne, Cambridgeshire.
Chris Conway, E-Commerce Director at the Co-op, said: “Co-op is committed to exploring new and innovative ways to increase access to its products and services. Our members and customers lead busy lives and ease, speed and convenience is at the heart of our approach.
“We are delighted to be able to extend the service in the area, as a convenience retailer, the ability to come into stores will always be important to customers, but we also know that shoppers want flexible and convenient options online, and so we are focused on providing what our customers want and need, however and wherever they choose to shop with us.”
NAM Implications:
- Yes, the Co-op!
- This has to be a pointer for others.
- Adding to consumer expectation of ‘close’ and ‘speed’…
- Meaning you have to query traditional retailers not having these services.
