Waitrose will grow its position in on-demand grocery shopping and convenience after announcing a new multi-year partnership with Uber Eats that will deliver to customers' doors in as little as 20 minutes.
The partnership has launched on the Uber Eats platform in five initial London stores, including John Barnes in Finchley Road, West Hampstead, Clerkenwell, St Katharine Docks and Greenwich. It will then roll out to more than 200 stores, including shops in Wales and Scotland, by the end of August.
Uber Eats saw gross bookings from supermarkets on its platform increase by almost 60 percent in the first quarter of the year compared to last year. Waitrose has seen young customers help grow on-demand grocery orders by 40 percent compared with the previous year.
Using Uber Eats' advanced technology, customers who use the Uber Eats platform can exclusively order from thousands upon thousands of items. These include the essential Waitrose range, the most significant value tier of any supermarket, which doesn't compromise quality, taste and animal welfare. In addition, the premium range, Waitrose number one, Waitrose Duchy Organic, the latest summer ranges, British brands like Gail's Bakery and Deliciously Ella, as well as a wide range of delicious fresh ready meals, free-from and vegan ranges and award-winning wines, beers and spirits, will all be available too.
James Bailey, Executive Director for Waitrose, said the retailers wanted more people to enjoy the quality and taste of Waitrose products as and when they want them.
"On-demand grocery shopping continues to grow in popularity with our customers, and partnering with Uber Eats means we have even more flexibility to be there for them whenever they need us," said Bailey.
Alex Troughton, Head of Commerce at Uber Eats UK, said the company was delighted that Waitrose was joining the Uber Eats platform across the UK.
"Our partnership is the ultimate in modern-day food shopping, combining the benefits of technology, convenience and speed with premium quality and huge product choice. It is the latest step in Uber Eats' mission to help customers get anything they want, in a matter of minutes, at the touch of a button," said Troughton.
The partnership builds on Waitrose's current partnership with Deliveroo—UberEats partners with several supermarkets, including Sainsbury's, Asda, Co-op, Iceland and Morrisons Daily.
The announcement also expands Waitrose's presence in the convenience sector through relationships with third parties as they continue to reach more customers and make their products even more accessible.
Waitrose has franchises in 27 Welcome Break locations and supplies over 80 Shell forecourts, 47 Dobbies garden centre food halls, Edinburgh-based convenience chain, Margiotta and Alliance convenience stores in Jersey.
