Sainsbury’s has once again fired up the juicy supermarket fulfilment war with plans to use 100 of its convenience stores as Argos click-and-collect points.

The grocer, which acquired Argos last year, said the initiative will allow shoppers to pick up Argos and Tu clothing orders placed online from Sainsbury’s Local stores.

It follows its move earlier this month to trial a 30-minute click-and-collect grocery service at its Pimlico branch, as UK supermarkets act swiftly to ramp-up their convenience credentials. 

Online supermarket Ocado has also gone live today with a new app that enables customers to track and amend orders via Amazon’s Alexa voice service system.

As Amazon continues to breathe down retailer’s necks, and sets about making its mark on newly purchased Whole Foods, it is innovate or die in the fiercely competitive grocery sector.

Quote of the day

“Grocery shopping should be quick, easy and convenient. Using voice technology, we’ve made it even easier. Consumer demand for increasingly convenient ways to shop is growing rapidly and we’re excited to be the first supermarket in the UK to offer this technology, making customers’ lives ever easier.”

Ocado’s marketing and commercial director Lawrence Hene commenting on the retailer’s new app

Today in numbers

20
The number of standalone stores Pep&Co is closing as it moves ahead with its Poundland partnership.

Tomorrow’s agenda

Tomorrow brings a pre-close update from high-street stalwart WHSmith.

Emily Hardy, senior reporter

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