Co-op Pick Up Hatch Brighton

Source: Co-op

The store on Lewes Road, Brighton has been identified as one of Co-op’s busiest for click & collect orders

The Co-op is looking to boost convenience for click & collect shoppers by trialling an external window hatch service that allows them to pick up their shopping without entering the store. 

The convenience retailer is launching the new facility at its store on Lewes Road, Brighton this week. The store had been identified as one of its busiest for click & collect orders through its online shop and home delivery via Deliveroo.

It said the initiative was designed to enable time-pressed shoppers to pick up orders without having to go in store and queue. This would also help to reduce queuing times for those shopping in store, it added.

“Making shopping quick, easy and convenient for our members and customers is at the very heart of our approach,” said e-commerce director Chris Conway. 

“We know that as a convenience retailer, the ability to come into stores is important to customers, but we also know that they want flexible options online and the ability to shop with speed.

“Our new trials will not only speed up click & collect but also reduce queuing times for those who shop in store, supporting our goal of providing what our customers want and need, however or wherever they choose to shop with us.”

The Co-op said it had not put a timeframe on the length of the trial, but would review its success before rolling out to further stores, which also experience high volumes of click & click and home delivery orders.

It so far has 1,700 stores that offer click & collect, and is looking to have close to 2,000 by the end of the year.