Waitrose partners with Just Eat to expand on-demand grocery services.
- Just Eat deliveries from Waitrose will reach customers in 30 minutes or less.
- Waitrose sees a 140% surge in weekly on-demand sales this year.
- Over a million UK residents now regularly use Just Eat for grocery orders.
- Plans are in place to introduce over 550 Christmas products through the platform.
Waitrose has strategically joined forces with Just Eat in a multi-year agreement designed to strengthen its position in the burgeoning on-demand grocery and convenience markets. The collaboration enables Just Eat users to place orders fulfilled in just 30 minutes from 229 Waitrose sites across key UK cities, including Birmingham, Glasgow, London, Manchester, and Stirling.
The partnership comes in response to a significant 140% increase in Waitrose’s average weekly on-demand grocery sales in the initial six weeks of the year. Moreover, more than one million Britons are now utilizing Just Eat for their grocery needs, illustrating the growing consumer demand for convenience in shopping habits.
Just Eat’s delivery network achieved an impressive feat last year, handling 12 grocery orders per minute. Customers can choose from a vast range of Waitrose items, encompassing both its enhanced No.1 range and the budget-friendly Essential range, ensuring a wide selection to meet diverse consumer preferences.
James Bailey, Executive Director of Waitrose, remarked on the evolving landscape of consumer expectations, emphasizing that the demand for convenience continually escalates along with expectations for food quality and ethical standards. He highlighted the partnership as a means to extend Waitrose’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
Echoing this sentiment, Claire Pointon, Managing Director of Just Eat UK and Ireland, noted the shifting consumer view that considers speedy delivery a standard expectation rather than a luxury. By integrating Waitrose into its portfolio, Just Eat seeks to enhance both choice and value for its users, aligning with the changing dynamics of on-demand services.
Additionally, Waitrose’s forward-looking plans include the introduction of over 550 Christmas products through Just Eat later this year, featuring 175 brand-new offerings for 2024. This further illustrates the retailer’s proactive approach in leveraging the partnership to broaden its market reach.
The Waitrose and Just Eat partnership exemplifies a strategic move to capitalise on the growing demand for rapid, convenient grocery services in the UK.