Co-op extends online delivery hours for football fans on match nights

Co‑op is extending its online opening hours across 180 stores on England and Scotland matchdays so fans “don’t miss a second of football action”.

The convenience retailer said home deliveries would run up to an hour after the final whistle for all six group stage matches.

It means for the England match against Panama on 27 June, for example, online orders will be available until 1am, and for the Scotland match against Haiti on 14 June, online orders will be taken up to 3.30am. The service would normally shut at 10pm, Co-op added.

Co-op has estimated that 40 million people are within reach of the participating stores, in towns and cities including London, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Brighton, Bristol, Aberdeen and Glasgow, offering fans match-night essentials “direct to their door in minutes”.

These include the convenience retailer’s “tournament supersaver” where Co-op members can get two pizzas and a pack of beer, including 0% beer or soft drinks options, for £5, saving a total of £8.75. Non-members would pay £6 and save £7.75.

Based on previous national sporting occasions, the convenience retailer is predicting an uplift in quick commerce participation of up to 50% at peak times.

Co-op’s delivery partners are Uber Eats, Just Eats, Deliveroo and Amazon. It also operates a delivery service with its own online shop.

“Sport is often a time for people to come together, and we see a significant spike in q-comm orders when the big national sporting moments occur,” said Co-op retail director Kate McCrae.

“This summer, working with our delivery partners, we are supporting our shoppers by extending trading hours in 180 stores, often into the early morning hours, so they can be ‘fed and watered’ without missing a second of the football action.

“We’ve undertaken considerable supply planning to ensure we have availability of the right stock, in the right quantities and our promotional plan is also vital, so we offer great value on key lines most often bought on these occasions, so we can all celebrate (or commiserate!) together.”