Independents can gain access to a new rapid delivery app thanks to the launch of Co-op’s Peckish platform, which will link with a retailer’s EPOS system, saving manual tasks such as pricing and stock control management.
Co-op claimed that Peckish would enable small, often family-owned, independent grocery businesses, shops and other co-operative retail societies to provide an online grocery shopping and delivery service to their local customers.
“The Peckish app overcomes barriers that independent retailers face when moving to sell online, including cost, scale and resource, allowing smaller-scale bricks and mortar retailers to have a presence online and enabling more consumers to quickly and conveniently shop local and support their high street stores,” said Co-op.
Retailers who sign up will also receive a range of support including data, trends and insight from Co-op’s leading quick commerce team, point of sale material, window stickers, leaflets, shelf talkers, digital and social media assets, posters and banners.
The group has made an initial £1m investment for year one on Peckish, following a successful 30 store trial at Nisa stores during the second half of 2024. Co-op plans to sign up over 1,000 stores to the app in its first year, with the potential to treble that by year three.
Shoppers can use Peckish to choose their shop from the range of products the individual retailer has selected to put online. Retailers select the price – enabling them to match in-store prices and can choose whether to deliver the online orders themselves, or for it to be managed through Co-op’s order management system and delivered quickly and conveniently locally through Co-op’s delivery partners including Just Eat and Uber Direct in as little as under 30 minutes.
Matt Hood, Co-op Food Managing Director, said: “The growth and popularity of quick commerce in the UK is exceptional, as consumers appetite for a convenient grocery delivery service in as little as 30 minutes from ordering, increases almost weekly. We are experts in running small, local convenience shops and the leading quick comm operator, and I’m excited about being able to share this expertise with all our neighbouring independent retailers, to help them extend their customer reach and services online, which in turn, can help transform their businesses.
“We know that smaller local shops, like our own, operate at the heart of the local community life. More than a shop, they are a community hub, creating value locally through job creation, community participation and their support of local suppliers. The ‘shop local’ sentiment is strong amongst consumers, and Peckish can help more retailers connect quickly online with their customers, providing greater consumer choice locally, and promoting healthier and more viable high streets and communities.”
Smaller, family-owned, independent businesses interested in finding out more should contact peckish@coop.co.uk
