Online ordering app available to any independent retailer
THE Co-op has launched a rapid delivery grocery app, called Peckish, that’s available to any independent retailers.
The Peckish app is said to overcome barriers that independent store owners face when moving to sell online, including cost, scale and resource.
Bosses claim it will allow smaller-scale bricks-and-mortar retailers to have a presence online and enable more consumers to quickly and conveniently shop local.
The Co-op is making an initial £1million investment for year one on Peckish, following a successful 30 trial in 30 Nisa outlets last year.
It is targeting a first-year sign-up of more than 1,000 stores, with potential to treble that by year three.
The society says it is the leading quick commerce grocer, across the major platforms of Deliveroo, Just Eat, Uber Eats, with more than 86% of the UK population having access to Co-op products online via its own online shop and its strategic partners.
Using this expertise and the scope of Co-op technology means the c-store operator can pass this economy of scale to thousands of independent retailers.
Shoppers can use Peckish to choose their shop from the range of products the individual retailer has selected to put online.
Retailers select the price – enabling them to match in-store prices – and can choose whether to deliver the online orders themselves, or for it to be managed through Co-op’s order management system.
This will see consumers receive their orders through Co-op’s delivery partners, including Just Eat and Uber Direct, in as little as under 30 minutes.
Peckish will link with a retailer’s EPOS system, saving manual tasks such as pricing and stock control and management.
Retailers who sign up will also receive a range of support including data, trends and insight from Co-op’s quick commerce team, POS material to create in-store theatre and digital and social media assets.
Matt Hood, Co-op food managing director, said: “The growth and popularity of quick commerce in the UK is exceptional.
“We are experts in running small, local convenience shops and the leading quick comm operator, and I’m excited about being able to share this expertise with all our neighbouring independent retailers, to help them extend their customer reach and services online, which in turn, can help transform their businesses.
“The ‘shop local’ sentiment is strong among consumers, and Peckish can help more retailers connect quickly online with their customers, providing greater consumer choice locally.”
