The Co-op has launched a new online grocery app so that independent retailers can set up their own quick commerce operations.
The multimillion pound rapid delivery app, Peckish, has been created to help small businesses, shops and cooperative retail societies provide an online grocery shopping and delivery service.
“The growth and popularity of quick commerce in the UK is exceptional, as consumers appetite for a convenient grocery delivery service in as little as 30 minutes from ordering, increases almost weekly,” stated Matt Hood, Co-op Food Managing Director.
“We are experts in running small, local convenience shops and the leading quick comm operator, and I’m excited about being able to share this expertise with all our neighbouring independent retailers, to help them extend their customer reach and services online, which in turn, can help transform their businesses.
“We know that smaller local shops, like our own, operate at the heart of the local community life. More than a shop, they are a community hub, creating value locally through job creation, community participation and their support of local suppliers. The ‘shop local’ sentiment is strong amongst consumers, and Peckish can help more retailers connect quickly online with their customers, providing greater consumer choice locally, and promoting healthier and more viable high streets and communities.”
Co-op will invest £1m in year one and is hoping for 1000 stores to sign up, with plans to reach 3000 by the third year.
It stated that the new app would overcome barriers that independent retailers face when moving to sell online, including cost, scale and resource, “allowing smaller-scale bricks and mortar retailers to have a presence online and enabling more consumers to quickly and conveniently shop local and support their high street stores.”
When shoppers use the app, they can choose their preferred shop from the range of products the individual retailer has selected to put online. Retailers select the price – enabling them to match in-store prices and can choose whether to deliver the online orders themselves, or for it to be managed through Co-op’s order management system – with partners like Just Eat and Uber Direct.
Peckish will link with a retailer’s EPOS system, for pricing and stock control and management.
