Waitrose is to open its first dotcom-only store tomorrow [October 4] in Acton as it seeks to ramp up its delivery in London.
The 37,000 sq ft Dotcom Fulfilment Centre in west London allows partners to pick six orders at any one time from the shelves and dedicated service counters.
The centre will offer customers one-hour delivery slots and there will be an extra 10 hours for weekday deliveries as the window is extended to 7am-11pm (currently 8am-10pm). Waitrose will continue to offer free delivery for all orders over £50.
The centre will initially handle 2,000 orders a week and grow from there. 14 branches will also continue to deliver orders in some parts of the city.
Waitrose has offered online shopping in London since July.
200 jobs have been created at the Acton dark store, aimed at giving the same customer service as that provided in a store, meeting the needs of customers with, for example, requests for green bananas or extra thick slices of ham.
The centre was created from a former John Lewis distribution centre with a £3m investment.
Waitrose managing director Mark Price said: “We see huge potential for our online business across the country and in the important London market and this new fulfilment centre is a big step forward in meeting the incredibly strong demand for Waitrose products, service and value in the capital.”
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