Coles' Rapid Click&Collect service is now available in 400 stores nationwide, after a pilot program saw demand for the service almost double.
The retailer officially launched the program at its 'next generation' supermarket in Cheltenham, Victoria. The launch makes Coles the first major retailer to launch an under 60-minute Click&Collect service.
It will be rolled out to another 200 stores early next year.
Rapid Click&Collect allows customers to order from an extended range of over 20,000 products, including some not usually offered for home delivery orders, like hot roast chicken. Customers can also select from a range of local and international beer, wine and spirits from selected stores.
Coles CEO Steven Cain said customers are increasingly looking for more convenience when shopping and are seeking out omnichannel solutions that allow them to shop anytime, anywhere and anyhow.
“Our research shows the number one consideration for online shoppers is convenience and for click and collect customers it’s immediate collection. Rapid Click&Collect in under 60 minutes will make it easier for customers to have their groceries conveniently delivered to their car boot as quickly as possible when they don’t have time to shop inside the store,” said Cain.
Customers can place an order for up to 40 items, with a minimum spend of $30 and a flat fee of $5 for orders to be picked, packed and ready for collection in under 60 minutes between 8:30am and 4:30pm daily.
Coles Plus members will continue to receive free Rapid Click&Collect as part of their membership subscription benefits.
For extra convenience, shoppers can use the Coles app to notify the store when they are on their way or have arrived to collect their Click&Collect order.
"Next Generation" supermarkets
The launch comes as Coles officially opens its next generation of supermarkets in Melbourne’s bayside suburb of Cheltenham, which showcases the latest technology and digital integrations across the store’s grocery and fresh produce.
Coles Southland store features the supermarkets largest ever Click&Collect area and in a first for Coles, customers will be greeted with digital screens navigating them to an available Click&Collect bay. The technology will enable team members to track customer arrivals and departures to reduce customer wait times.
Southland is also introducing digital scales in the fresh produce area which use artificial intelligence to automatically detect the fruit or vegetable weighed to speed up shopping in store, while across in the store’s deli the introduction of new queue monitoring technology will reduce wait time for customers.
Furthering Coles’ commitment to sustainability, for the first time Southland customers will be able to bring their own container at the deli, scoop and weigh, frozen fruit, fruit and veg bar and the pet treat bar.
As part of Cole's partnership with SecondBite, the store will donate all unsold, edible food, helping Australians in need. Customers can also donate products purchased at Southland at a dedicated SecondBite collection area located at the front of store.
The store will also be actively reducing its environmental footprint, with installed doors on fridges throughout the store and natural refrigerant gases which have close to no global warming potential.
