Waitrose is to launch grocery collection lockers as part of its growing click-and-collect offer.
The supermarket is currently testing the temperature-controlled lockers at its Bracknell head office, and plans to roll them out to stores next year.
“Giving our customers as many ways as possible to buy and collect their groceries on the move is key to building on the phenomenal growth seen at Waitrose.com,” said Waitrose director, ecommerce, Robin Phillips.
“Collection lockers will unlock the potential to reach customers in locations where we don’t have a shop and which are very convenient, such as on the way home from work or the school run.
“More and more people are adding an online shopping mission to their way of buying from Waitrose and we will continue to invest in making sure we give them what they want, when they want it.”
Shoppers will be able to order via Waitrose.com and will then receive a text message with a PIN number. They can drive up to the lockers, enter the number on the integrated touch screen and collect their shopping. Ordering by 11.45am means the goods will be available to collect the next day, while the service will be free when spending more than £50.
The temperature-controlled lockers can be used to store chilled, frozen and ambient temperature goods. Each can be refilled several times a day.
Waitrose’s grocery click-and-collect service has been available in 150 branches since 2009. A drive-through service has also been trialled in five Waitrose stores and will be rolled out next year.
Waitrose.com sales grew by 50.1% in the first quarter of its financial year, ahead of market growth of 15.2% in the 12 weeks to May 12, according to Kantar Worldpanel Grocery.
The retailer is one of a number of supermarkets currently looking at launching collection lockers for grocery orders, something being seen as key to the flexible delivery offer customers will expect in the future.
