Co-op has confirmed it is set to work with Walmart Commerce Technologies to implement its online fulfilment technology, ‘Store Assist’, to further enhance the convenience retailer’s colleague and customer experience and support quick commerce growth ambitions.
With ease, speed and convenience a cornerstone of Co-op’s online grocery approach, the new technology will further support the convenience retailer’s growth ambitions of reaching more than one third share of the QComm market.
Walmart Commerce Technologies Store Assist product, digitizes and streamlines online order fulfilment workflows.
The app allows retailers to manage pickup, third-party marketplace, ship-from-store, and last-mile delivery orders all in one place. This streamlined omni-channel fulfilment workflow will enhance in-store processes and operations, remove the need for colleagues to switch between quick commerce apps or different devices, and allows for faster delivery times – enabling Co-op to better serve its member-owners and customers.
Store Assist technology will have a focus on: ease of use; scalability; specialised and tailored use to meet the diverse demands of grocery fulfilment and, a unified platform to simplify systems as online orders are picked fresh in the local Co-op store, and delivered quickly and conveniently in the community.
George Hayworth, Co-op head of online development, said: “Growing our share of the quick commerce market is our focus through both our own online shop and with strategic partners. Our approach is centred on ease, speed and convenience from our local stores, which are well placed in the heart of communities. We are pleased to work closely with Walmart Commerce Technologies to implement the new technology that is easy to use and supports our continued growth, while further enhancing the quick and reliable service that is important to our member-owners and customers, whenever and wherever they choose to shop with us.”
Co-op has grown its quick commerce operation at pace and estimates more than 80% of the UK population now has access to Co-op groceries either through its own online – shop.coop.co.uk – or through its delivery partners including Just Eat, Uber Eats and Deliveroo. Earlier this year Co-op was also named the most popular grocer on the major delivery platforms in a study based on data from couriers using the Rodeo app.
In March, Co-op rolled-out member price benefits to its own online shop, creating additional value for its member-owners online as well as in store. Co-op also stated its ambitions to grow its active members from 5 Million to 8 Million by 2030.
