Coles reveals groundbreaking new delivery service that takes minutes

Coles is moving further into the future of grocery deliveries, bringing a groundbreaking new shopping service to more Aussies.

Customers in three Gold Coast suburbs will be the first Queenslanders to try the new store-to-door drone delivery, following a successful trial in Canberra.

More than 500 of Coles' most popular grocery items will be made available, including bread, fresh produce, snacks, health care items and household essentials.

The program will kick off in the suburbs of Ormeau, Ormeau Hills and Yatalagradually before expanding to include other nearby suburbs.

The drones will be handled by US company Wing, which has been delivering fast food to Logan and Canberra since 2019.

Coles is the first major Australian retailer to trial the new model, with a dedicated fleet of Wing delivery drones to be located in the Coles Ormeau Village car park.

How Coles' drone delivery works

Coles team members will process and pack orders and Wing staff will load the drones and oversee operation of deliveries.

Coles Head of Network Development and Customer Delivery, James Geddes, said Coles was proud to be expanding its partnership with Wing and introducing the innovative service in Australia.

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"We are delighted to be expanding our drone delivery pilot program with Wing to our Queensland customers," Mr Geddes said.

"The service will provide a convenient and effective way of delivering everyday essentials to our customers' homes in a matter of minutes," he continued.

"Customers can now get those urgent items they need in a hurry, delivered by drone, directly from the local Coles Ormeau Village store.

"Whether they've forgotten to pick up a loaf of bread or fresh milk during their weekly shop or are missing an ingredient for dinner-time meal prep or school lunches, they can now get those products delivered quickly, without having to drive to the store."

Drone delivery to more Aussies

Since the Canberra trial began in March 2022, more than 5,000 Coles deliveries have been made including essentials such as fresh fruit, milk, bread, and eggs, along with confectionery, snacks and cold drinks.

Only 250 items were available in the Canberra trial so the Gold Coast expansion offers customers significantly more choice at 500 items.

Wing Australia General Manager, Simon Rossi, said the company is investing in a range of pilot programs, designed to help enable drone delivery at scale, and bring items to more Australians.

"We're excited to be teaming up with Coles on this Australian first... helping to expand the delivery options available to Coles customers by bringing affordable, sustainable, and fast drone delivery to the skies of South East Queensland," Mr Rossi said.

How do I use it?

To use the service, customers can download the Wing app, enter their address, add items to their cart, then submit their order for fulfilment by Coles and Wing.

Upon arrival, the drone hovers in the air and slowly lowers the customer's groceries to the ground for a contactless delivery.

Wing drone delivery from Coles Ormeau Village will be available from 9am to 4:30pm Tuesday to Sunday, starting November 2.

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