Co-op expands delivery drone services in Northamptonshire
The retailer has extended its partnership with Starship Technologies to offer autonomous service to more customers in the region.
After deploying its own drone delivery service to its customers in the United Kingdom, Co-op continues to expand the reach of this offer by expanding it into new regions. The retailer has extended its partnership with Starship Technologies, the provider of the autonomous services, to bring its benefits to customers in the North Northamptonshire region.
Both companies have partnered with the local Council to start serving up to 45,000 residents across 33,000 households in Wellingborough, Higham Ferrers and Rushden from four of the brand’s stores. The news is part of the convenience brand’s plan to enhance its autonomous deliveries reach after beginning its commercial deployment in November of 2020.
“Co-op is committed to exploring new and innovative ways to increase access to its products and services. 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,” said Chris Conway, eCommerce Director at Co-op.
Clients will be able to select their desired products, schedule their delivery and drop a pin where they want their delivery to be sent through the Starship food delivery app. They will also be able to watch the process in real-time via an interactive map as the robot gets closer to them. Once both parts meet, they can unlock it through the app and take its respective orders.
Starship’s robots are powered by zero carbon electricity and are programmed to pick up groceries in local Co-op stores and deliver them in as little as one hour or less.
