Aldi has joined forces with Deliveroo to pilot a grocery home delivery service in the UK.

The discounter will initially offer the rapid fulfilment option from its Daleside Road store in Nottingham. It plans to extend the trial to a further seven stores across the East Midlands next month and is eyeing a further rollout by the end of 2020.

Deliveroo users will be able to select from more than 150 Aldi products, including bread, milk, fruit and vegetables, which will be picked by the grocer’s staff in stores. Deliveroo’s network of riders will then deliver the items to customers’ homes in as little as 30 minutes.

Aldi said the service will offer shoppers “greater flexibility” and will also help support those who are self-isolating at home during the coronavirus pandemic.

It comes just weeks after Aldi started selling food parcels online, marking its first foray into grocery ecommerce. The discounter is selling 22 products including tinned soup, rice and pasta, for £23.99 including delivery.

Prior to that, Aldi had only sold wine and its general merchandise ‘special buys’ online.

Aldi UK and Ireland boss Giles Hurley said: “We hope the new trial with Deliveroo will provide more customers with access to great quality, affordable food at Aldi.

“This is a new and exciting venture for Aldi and we will be constantly reviewing how we can best serve our customers and continue to provide them with the high-quality products they are used to in-store.”

Deliveroo vice president of new business Ajay Lakhwani added: “At Deliveroo, we are doing everything we can to make sure that people get the food they need and want during this unprecedented time. We are pleased to partner with Aldi and deliver even more choice to our customers as they continue to keep safe at home.”