The supermarket giant Asda has big plans to make online shopping even more convenient.
Asda is set to be the first supermarket to offer same-day delivery on groceries, for free, via its Click and Collect service.
The UK’s second largest supermarket wants to build on its 2012 success by investing £700 million this year in opening 12 new stores and improving its 'multi-channel' online services - creating 2,500 jobs in the process.
World’s first
Soon doing a food shop online in the morning will mean you can pick it up later the same day - just in time for dinner.
Asda plans to be able to deliver a same-day Click and Collect service, which it claims will be the world's first.
At the moment Waitrose offers Click and Collect on groceries in around 157 stores, Tesco over 150 and Asda in 100. Sainbury’s only offers the service for non-food goods in over 800 outlets.
Currently Tesco is the only retailer that charges for the privilege. But the earliest any of the supermarkets can offer is normally a next day slot.
Now Asda claims it can get your goods picked and packed ready for collection much sooner than its rivals.
The retailer hopes to launch its speedier service this summer, but it will be trialled in a few stores first. Initially shoppers can order before 10am for collection by 3pm the same day. The service is expected to be free.
Wider coverage
Not only will Asda be trialling this new ultra-convenient service but it will be extending and improving what it has in place already.
Asda currently offers Click and Collect on George merchandise and general goods at all 568 of its outlets.
[SPOTLIGHT]However, at the moment only 100 stores allow you to collect your groceries as well as non-food items. Asda will double this to 200 outlets by the end of 2013.
Asda will also use stand-alone collection points at Asda petrol stations which will have groceries ready for collection at any time in temperature-controlled lockers that you can access with a code.
'Drive-thru'
Another concept that could catch on is the click and ‘Drive-Thru’ collection where you don’t even have to get out of your car to get your shopping.
But this is nothing new. Sainsbury's, Tesco and most recently Waitrose have all dabbled with the idea.
Asda’s first 'Drive-Thru' facility can be found in York. It combines food and non-food collection orders in one place where an assistant will load up your car.
Trailblazer
For the moment it looks like Asda is a bit of a trailblazer in convenience shopping. And the move could spark some more competitive offerings from rival supermarkets.
What do you think? Could this service make your life easier? Or do you doubt it will make a difference?
More on shopping:
How to slash your supermarket delivery costs
Poundland versus Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury's
Oxfam donations can now earn you Nectar points
Metro Bank to open drive-thru branch in Slough
Bownty.com: new way to track deals from top voucher and groupbuying sites