Waitrose ramps up convenience ambitions with Just Eat partnership

Waitrose has on Thursday announced a multi-year partnership with leading delivery network Just Eat to expand its presence in the on-demand grocery and convenience sectors.

In the coming weeks, Just Eat customers will be able to order their food and drink to be delivered in 30 minutes or less from 229 Waitrose locations across the UK. Birmingham, Glasgow, London and Manchester are among the locations the partnership went live this week.

The collaboration comes as Waitrose has seen average weekly on-demand grocery sales increase by 140 per cent in the first six months of the year, helping the retailer to reach a broader range of customers.

Just Eat customers will be able to order from thousands of items, including the revamped premium range Waitrose No. 1 and the value tier Essential Waitrose.

Waitrose recently confirmed plans to open up to 100 convenience shops across the UK in the next five years to add to more than 90 Shell forecourt shops it supplies and a franchise agreement for shops in 27 Welcome Break motorway service areas.

“Partnering with Just Eat and stepping up our plans for new shops allows us to reach even more customers who want the same commitment to quality, taste and ethical standards whenever and wherever they want to enjoy great food,” James Bailey, Waitrose executive director, said.

“As demand for greater convenience has grown, so have expectations of convenience food - and that is a huge opportunity for us.”

Claire Pointon, managing director for the UK and Ireland at Just Eat, added: “Many of today’s consumers no longer consider speed a luxury but a necessity. This is supported by Just Eats’ own research - three in four people who have ordered on-demand groceries believe it will become a part of their daily lives. Just Eat is proud to be leading this change and so we’re thrilled to be adding Waitrose to our list of grocery partners, strengthening the choice and value available for customers on the platform - whenever, and wherever, they need us.”

More than one million Brits now regularly get their groceries delivered by Just Eat - with the platform delivering 12 grocery orders to UK customers’ doors every minute last year alone.