Upmarket retailer Waitrose is set to open its first ever drive-through click & collect service store as part of a multi-million pound omni-channel investment.
The service, which will first open in the retailer's Cheltenham store next month, will follow at stores in Salisbury, Wolverhampton, Lincoln and Southend. Shoppers can order groceries online, and then pick them up in time-slots in a designated area at their local store's car park.
Waitrose ecommerce director, Robin Phillips, said the investment is part of the retailer's plans to become a 'truely omni-channel retailer'.
He explained: “The introduction of drive-throughs and, later this year, collection pods gives time-pressed customers even greater choice about how to receive orders made through Waitrose.com.
“The free service will appeal to busy parents with kids in tow as well as young professionals and anyone who wants to collect pre-picked and packaged orders when it suits them.”
Waitrose is also set to trial self-service collection pods this year. The pods will include chambers set at different temperatures which shoppers can drive up to and unlock using a code emailed after placing an online order. The collection pod trials will take place at several undisclosed stores.
