The Co-op is extending its use of robot deliveries across the Milton Keynes area due to demand for the service almost doubling since the start of the Coronavirus lockdown.

In 2018, the supermarket chain began a trial of same-day autonomous robot deliveries in the area, partnering with Starship Technologies.

The service has now been made available at eight Co-op stores, with six new stores added since March. NHS staff will not be charged for using the service and the robots were even programmed to pause to clap and cheer at 8pm on Thursday evenings to thank key workers.

In addition to an increase in the number of customers using robot deliveries since the start of lockdown, the value of transactions has gone up by four times.

The Co-op has been expanding the range available through robot delivery and now offers shoppers a choice of around 1,000 everyday essential products.

Head of online development Jason Perry commented: “Quality, ease and convenience is at the core of our approach and we continue to innovate and expand access to our products online in order to offer greater flexibility and choice to meet consumer needs in our communities.”

Earlier this year, the Co-op announced that it expects its same-day online delivery offer - including partnerships with Deliveroo, Buymie and its own dedicated online shop - to be available from 650 of its UK stores by the end of 2020.

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