Co-op trials free city centre home deliveries

THE Co-operative Group is trialling a new home delivery service to city centre residents in its home city of Manchester.

If successful the scheme – where shopping is delivered to customers’ homes after they’ve selected, bought and paid for their goods – could be rolled out into other urban areas.

The Co-op already offers a home delivery service at 330 of its food stores in towns and villages across the UK.

Shoppers who live within five miles of its food stores on Corporation Street and Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, will be able to have shopping delivered free to their door after spending £25 or more on groceries and everyday essentials.

The service launched on Thursday at the Co-operative on Piccadilly Gardens and today at Corporation Street.

Sean Toal, commercial director for The Co-operative Food, said: “Almost 800,000 people live in and around Manchester city centre, many of whom use public transport, bicycles or simply walk to get around.

“This service is ideal for those who may want to use their lunch hour to do their shopping, but don’t fancy carrying it all the way home on the bus, train or tram after a long day at work.

“Lots of shoppers like to go into a store and get ideas for what to make for dinner that evening. This service doesn’t take that away; it gives people the opportunity to pick out their own fresh ingredients, but simply removes the stress of getting it all home.

“We expect that the service will be particularly handy in the run up to Christmas when everyone is busy and time is precious.”