Co-op to bring back traditional ‘walking deliveries’

Co-op is about to bring back old and traditional “walking deliveries” for customers who live near 200 of its rural shops, stated a report today (20).

The new service will be applicable for online orders within a 15-minute walk of shops. It will allow the retailer to reach customers in smaller towns and villages where on-demand and rapid delivery services are often unavailable.

Under the new service, orders made via Co-op’s online store will be loaded onto an ergonomically designed trolley, and hauled by a member of staff to customer doorsteps. Deliveries will be made the same day orders come in and typically in less than two hours, as per a report in Times.

It is also likely to appeal to customers keen to reduce their carbon footprint. The Co-op says it is the first modern supermarket to introduce deliveries on foot. 

Earlier this week, Co-op expanded its robot delivery service by introducing automated grocery deliveries to Cambourne.

“Co-op stores across the country are well placed to serve shoppers locally and a key part of our strategy is to develop our ecommerce offer, using the competitive advantage of our store footprint to provide fast home deliveries, click and collect and added services,” reports quoted Co-op’s ecommerce director Chris Conway, as saying.

“We know that as a convenience retailer, the ability to pop into their local Co-op will always be important to customers, but we also know that they want flexible options online, and so we continue to work to meet customer needs, however, and wherever they choose to shop with us.”