Waitrose extends While You’re Away pilot
Last year, we reported that Waitrose was trying out a service allowing drivers to let themselves into customers’ homes while they are out and put their groceries away.
The retailer initially tested demand for the While You’re Away offering with 100 customers located within the delivery area of its dotcom fulfilment centre in Coulsdon, south London. And it is now opening the trial up to more than 1,000 people “due to excellent customer feedback”. “Even if you're not in the current trial area, please let us know if you are interested - we might be coming to you next,” said Gregory Smith, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Technology and Digital, Corporate Ventures at John Lewis Partnership. Further info here.
Using Yale smart lock technology, the customer grants access to a delivery driver by setting a temporary access code for the lock which is then sent to Waitrose via an app. The code is then sent to the driver’s device at the time the customer has booked for the delivery and is deleted once the delivery is complete.
The driver will put refrigerated and frozen goods away and leave other groceries on the kitchen counter, or as instructed by the customer. The whole delivery is captured on a chest-cam worn by the driver, with the video available for request for the customer the next working day.
There is a minimum order of £25 and, given the small number of customers involved at this stage, there is a minimum number of six orders, although this will be reviewed after the trial.
