Waitrose announces multi-year tie-up with Uber Eats expanding its position in on-demand shopping

Bracknell-headquartered grocer Waitrose has announced a multi-year tie-up with Uber Eats, which will grow the former's position in on-demand shopping and the convenience sector.

Waitrose has launched initially on the app in five London stores, including John Barnes in Finchley road, West Hampstead, Clerkenwell, St Katharine Docks and Greenwich.

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It will then roll out to more than 200 stores, including shops in Wales and Scotland by the end of August this year.

Alex Troughton, head of commerce at Uber Eats UK, said the firm was "delighted" that Waitrose was joining the Uber Eats platform across the UK.

"Our partnership is the ultimate in modern day food shopping, combining the benefits of technology, convenience and speed with premium quality and huge product choice.

"It is the latest step in Uber Eats’ mission to help customers get anything they want, in a matter of minutes, at the touch of a button," he said.

James Bailey, executive director for Waitrose, added: "On-demand grocery shopping continues to grow in popularity with our customers and partnering with Uber Eats means we have even more flexibility to be there for them whenever they need us."

Uber Eats has seen gross bookings from supermarkets increase by almost 60% in the first quarter of the year compared to last year, whilst Waitrose has seen young customers help grow on-demand grocery orders by 40% compared with the previous year.

Waitrose customers using the Uber Eats platform will be able to exclusively order from thousands of items, including the essential Waitrose range and the premium range, Waitrose No. 1.

This latest partnership builds on Waitrose’s current partnership with Deliveroo and expands its presence in the convenience sector through relationships with third parties.

Uber Eats partners with a number of supermarkets including Sainsbury’s, Asda, Co-op, Iceland and Morrisons Daily.

Waitrose & Partners has 329 shops in England, Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands, including 59 convenience branches, 27 shops at Welcome Break locations, and Waitrose.com - its online shopping business.

The Uber Eats app helps bring millions of people around the world the things they want. In the UK, it partner with over 63,000 restaurants and merchants in more than 330 towns and cities.