Asda tests out virtual queuing system amid coronavirus crisis

Asda is trialling a virtual queuing system as part of social distancing measures during the coronavirus pandemic.

This allows customers to log in to a queue remotely and wait in their cars to enter stores. It is being trialled at Asda’s store in Middleton, near Leeds.

Chief Executive Roger Burnley said it was "increasingly clear that Covid-19 is set to be part of our lives for months to come". Asda research shows that two-thirds of customers are still concerned about safety in supermarkets.

Food Boxes initiative

The grocery giant has also extended the capacity of its Food Box delivery service for vulnerable customers to 10,000 boxes per day.

StarStock is powering the initiative. For £30, customers will receive up to 31 items, including supplies that have been in high demand amid the coronavirus pandemic, such as cereal, bread, pasta, tinned fruit and vegetables, sauces, jam, teabags and long-life milk. A selection of treats is also included.

Asda is also working with StarStock and logistics partner IPL to fulfil deliveries within two days of the customer’s order, without affecting its existing home shopping service. “Over the course of 20 days, we built this from scratch and got the boxes out to customers,” Preyash Thakrar, Chief Strategy Officer, Asda, commented last week.

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