7-Eleven is speeding up its delivery options with the launch of a service that will fulfil online orders an hour after they are made.

The convenience store group has partnered with delivery start-up Postmates to allow customers to order everything apart from alcohol from 7-Eleven and have it delivered within an hour.

Shoppers have to place their orders on a Postmates app.

The retailer is offering the service in stores in San Francisco and Oakland, and the scheme is expected to be rolled out to New York City, Austin, Los Angeles, Washington DC and Chicago in the coming months.

San Francisco-based Postmates, which works with the likes of McDonald’s, Starbucks and Chipotle, will deliver the products.

Average delivery times prior to the deal’s announcement averaged around 30 minutes, according to Fortune.

Raja Doddala, vice-president of omnichannel and ventures at 7-Eleven, said: “Through our partnership with Postmates, 7-Eleven’s reach extends beyond our physical stores. The program should work well for us because it appeals to our customers who are more on-the-go, connected 24/7 and prefer fast-paced, urban living.”

Retailers are continually cranking up the speed of online fulfilment. Last week Amazon revealed it would offer one-hour delivery for Prime members in London.

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