Uber Eats has unveiled a range of new features for customers requesting grocery delivery orders, including having its couriers pick and pack orders.
In a European first for any delivery platform, Courier Pick and Pack will connect customers with an Uber Eats courier who will go on their behalf to the supermarket, then pick and pack their order before delivering it to their doorstep.
Customers will be able to speak with couriers in real-time about their order as the riders walk around the store. Uber says this will allow for correct substitutions for out-of-stock products or if shoppers change their mind.
Susan Anderson, Uber global head of grocery and retail, said: “It’s very clear that grocery shopping trends have fundamentally changed.
“Our busy lifestyles mean we physically go to the supermarket for a big shop less frequently and prefer to rely more on apps like Uber Eats to order fresh grocery ingredients when we want them.
“In the UK, the trend is fascinating in the way it reflects people’s desire to eat healthily – and their increasing familiarity with using our tech to make their lives easier. We’ve become a global leader in the field, and this is the reason why we are launching new products like Courier Pick and Pack, which we believe will change the way that people shop for groceries.”
Uber Eats said the number of grocery orders made on its app has nearly doubled in the last two years.
Uber research showed that Monday evening between 6pm and 7pm is the peak time for grocery orders, which it said shows that customers are increasingly moving away from the one weekly shop – with 74% of grocery sales growth driven by fresh produce purchases.