Co-op Launches 24-Hour Online Grocery Delivery Service
British convenience retailer Co-op is launching a 24-hour delivery service this month at Leeds, London and Manchester stores.
The locations — which are centered around downtown areas — were chosen because of a strong online grocery demand at non-traditional times. Local demographics, availability of delivery drivers and stores already staffed for around-the-clock restocks helped determine which shops were selected.
Groceries will be delivered through Co-op’s e-commerce partners: Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats.
Co-op is also extending its online availability to more than 1,600 stores that are open longer, so customers can shop later into the evening.
The changes arrive as Co-op’s research found that more than 40% of quick commerce shoppers — and nearly half of consumers ages 18 to 44 — would use an 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. delivery window, were it available. They also found the service is most popular among more than half (52.3%) of Gen Z shoppers (ages 18 to 24).
The move is in line with the convenience retailer’s goal of reaching more than one-third of the quick commerce market. It estimates that more than 80% of the U.K. population now has access to Co-op groceries either through its online shop or through its delivery partners.
"Meeting the needs of our member-owners and customers is at the heart of our approach and is aligned to our strategy to grow our share of the quick commerce market through both our own online shop and strategic partners," Chris Conway, Co-op e-commerce director, said in a statement.
Shift workers, parents of young children and after-hours revelers represent changes in societal behaviors. "[That] is increasing the requirement for online groceries to be delivered quickly and conveniently at non-traditional times of the day," Conway added.