Waitrose temperature controlled lockers

Waitrose is to trial a network of temperature-controlled locker boxes for customers to have their groceries delivered into.

An initial trial began at the supermarket’s head office in Bracknell, Berkshire, last year, but it now hopes to extend the initiative to 10 more third-party locations nationwide, including airports, train stations and business parks.

The lockers allow customers to place orders online and collect their groceries from a locker at a time that is convenient for them. Orders can be delivered into ambient, chilled and frozen lockers, which Waitrose said can be delivered into several times a day.

The 12-month trial will commence this autumn and, subject to planning permission, lockers will be installed at Gatwick North and Gatwick South Terminal long stay car parks, Green Park business park in Reading and TfL stations in Chorleywood, Watford, Ickenham and Chalfont & Latimer.

A three more locations are also planned, but these have not been confirmed.

Richard Phillips, e-commerce director, said: “We are very excited to be able to offer our Waitrose customers this innovative service across the transport network which, if successful, we hope to expand further. We are committed to finding shopping solutions that make the most sense for our shoppers and are as convenient as possible, as well as being ambitious in terms of the technology used.”

The supermarket last year doubled its home delivery capacity for customers in London by opening a second London online DC.

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