Asda has revealed further details of a new type of standalone round-the-clock click-and-collect site it plans to trial in Lancashire.

Asda will trial 24/7 click-and-collect pods.

The ‘intelligent click-and-collect pod’, which is being soft-launched later this month, allows customers to drive up to the site, scan in a QR code and collect goods straight from a temperature-controlled unit. Details of the pod technology first emerged last September.

The trial site, in St Helens, features three hatches which Asda said will allow the unit to process thousands of orders a week. Customers who order online before noon will be able to collect their delivery by 4pm that day.

The retailer claims it is the first 24/7 grocery click-and-collect point in the UK.

Retail Week understands that if the trial is successful Asda may look to open further ‘pod’ sites away from its stores and petrol stations.

The Leeds-headquartered grocer has click-and-collect points in all its 592 stores and plans to have more than 1,000 points by the end of 2018.

Earlier this week, Asda reported a 3.9% drop in first-quarter like-for-like sales as boss Andy Clarke said he expected two more years of pain for the big four.