Tesco has launched a pilot partnership with rapid delivery app Gorillas, offering customers groceries within 10 minutes, as it becomes the latest retailer to wade into the ultra-fast grocery space.
The trial begins today with the first orders being fulfilled from a dedicated micro-fulfilment site at the large Tesco supermarket in Thornton Heath, south London.
Customers will be able to choose from a selection of 2,000 Tesco products for delivery within 10 minutes “from forgotten items such as nappies or milk, to dinner for that evening.”
Gorillas will set up further four micro-fulfilment sites at Tesco stores, the locations of which have yet to be confirmed by the grocer.
Tesco said the pilot would mix its “depth in understanding of its customers with Gorillas’ experience in rapid delivery”.
“The idea that we can reach our customers in just ten minutes is really exciting,” Tesco UK chief executive Jason Tarry said.
“We are committed to being easily the most convenient choice for our customers, enabling them to shop whenever and however they want.
“This pilot with Gorillas will help customers get their products right away, supporting those looking to buy food for tonight or last-minute forgotten items. We look forward to hearing what our customers think.”
The new tie-up will offer Tesco customers another way of accessing the grocer’s products from the comfort of their homes. It comes after the UK’s largest grocer rolled out its Whoosh proposition earlier this year, offering customers a range of 1,700 products for delivery within one hour.
Whoosh deliveries are being fulfilled from 50 Tesco Express stores, with the grocer looking to double that coverage by the end of the year.
Berlin-based Gorillas is one of several ultra-fast grocery delivery firms that have exploded across London and the UK during the pandemic.
These brands have tried to corner the online convenience market ahead of more established players such as Deliveroo, which tends to operate more in the “on-demand” 30-minute market and has been prolific in partnering with UK grocers.
Gorillas chief operating officer Adrian Frenzel said: “We’re thrilled to be announcing this first-of-its-kind commercial and real estate partnership with Tesco. As a fast-paced company at the forefront of the on demand grocery industry, we are always looking for ways to innovate, and this co-location partnership will bring unprecedented value to our customers in the UK who will now have the possibility to be delivered the best of Tesco within minutes thanks to Gorillas.”
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