Waitrose is making a permanent change to its delivery hours across 35 UK stores, following a successful trial during the World Cup. The supermarket found that customers continued to order groceries even after matches had finished, prompting the decision to make the extended hours permanent at the most popular locations.
Extended Delivery Windows
Some stores will now offer delivery until midnight, while selected locations will provide 24-hour delivery. The change is designed to improve customer convenience, building on the flexibility that proved popular during the tournament.
Shoppers will be able to order through partner platforms including Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat. However, alcohol will not be available for delivery beyond shop trading hours, and store opening times will remain unchanged.
Positive Trial Results
More than 50 stores across England and Scotland participated in the World Cup delivery scheme, which began on June 23. During England's match against Croatia, there was a 17% increase in orders, highlighting the demand for late-night and early-morning delivery.
Laura Burbedge, director of online at Waitrose, said: "The World Cup proved that our food-loving customers value the flexibility of shopping at Waitrose whenever they need us. By extending our delivery windows, we're making it even more convenient to access the delicious, high-quality food our customers love."
Availability and Access
Delivery times will depend on availability, location, and platform, but could arrive in as little as 20 minutes, according to The Grocer. Waitrose operates around 320 shops and has been expanding its presence on third-party delivery platforms as demand for rapid grocery services grows.
Shoppers can check whether their nearest participating branch is available by searching for Waitrose within the Deliveroo, Uber Eats, or Just Eat apps.
