DIY retailer B&Q hooks up with courier DPD to test out autonomous robot deliveries service in Milton Keynes

B&Q is trialling a robot delivery option in Milton Keynes with DPD.

Customers will be notified in advance about that their order (related to smaller parcels) being delivered. Once they confirm they will be home to accept the parcel, a robot will be dispatched.

The deliveries are trackable on a map and shoppers are notified when the robot reaches their property. They are then given a code to unlock a compartment and retrieve their parcel.

B&Q Supply and Logistics Director Amélie Gallichan-Todd says: “I am really proud of the work we’re doing to improve our fulfilment services to give our customers more choice of when and how their B&Q purchases are delivered.”

“We already offer different options including one-hour and 24-hour Click and Collect from our 300 stores, home delivery direct from 52 stores, and home delivery from our central distribution centres, as well as direct from drop-ship vendors.”

“Our aim is to give customers more choice of speed and location, while at the same time fulfilling our commitment to reduce our impact on the environment.”

“We’re already the second biggest liquified natural gas fleet in the country and are adding electric vehicles to our home delivery fleet later this year.”

She added: “We’re also trialling alternative ways of delivering products to home, such as our trial in Milton Keynes with DPD UK to deliver customers’ orders to home using autonomous robots.”

Deliveroo

B&Q this week announced that it was partnering with Deliveroo to offer a new, on-demand delivery service of over 600 home improvement products from nine of its Local stores in London.

Starting later this month, customers will be able to order interior and outdoor paint, decorating, painting tools, plumbing, electricals, bathroom essentials, as well as tools and hardware.

B&Q said in an online post: “Our partnership with Deliveroo taps into the increasing demand from consumers for speed and convenience when it comes to buying DIY products.

It gives customers more choice of when and how their B&Q purchases are delivered, whether they’re tackling an emergency job that needs a quick fix or need additional tools halfway through a project. With the new service, orders will be delivered from the Local store to home in as little as 25 minutes.”

It added: “Offering an on-demand, fast delivery service in partnership with Deliveroo, helps us to reach a new target customer base and serve new shopping missions.”

The nine Local stores involved are at Camden, Harrow, Palmers Green, Streatham, Sutton, Tooting, Wandsworth, Wood Green and Staines-Upon-Thames.

2024 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Home delivery is a key focus area for the sixth edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards, which is now open for entries.

The awards, sponsored by CADS, 3D Cloud, and Retail Technology Show 2025, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

It’s free to enter and you can do so across multiple categories.

Key 2024 dates

Friday, 25th October: Award entry deadline 

Tuesday, 29th October: 2024 shortlist revealed

30th October-6th November: Judging days

Thursday, 21st November: Winners announced at the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony, to be held at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London.