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Coronavirus: Woolworths partners with Uber for innovative new delivery service

Woolworths has moved again to ensure it can meet a surge in demand amid the coronavirus outbreak by partnering with Uber to deliver online shopping.

The new partnership will begin on Monday and will see Uber drivers delivering grocery orders to customers, adding “thousands” of deliveries to its weekly capacity.

Initially beginning in Queensland’s Townsville, it is to be rolled out gradually nationwide over the coming weeks.

“As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, it’s vital we keep scaling our delivery capacity to meet the essential needs of our communities,” Woolworths Director of E-Commerce, Annette Karantoni said.

“We see partnerships as an integral part of this effort, and are delighted to team up with Uber to bring the convenience of grocery delivery to even more Australians.”

Woolworths and Uber have teamed up to ensure more customers can have access to home delivery. Source: Woolworths/ Getty
Woolworths and Uber have teamed up to ensure more customers can have access to home delivery. Source: Woolworths/ Getty

Orders are placed through Woolworths via its website or app and are capped at 40 items.

They will be delivered the following day.

“This partnership with Woolworths will ensure Australians can continue to access the vital supplies they need, quickly and without having to leave their house,” Uber General Manager for Australia and New Zealand, Dom Taylor said.

The announcement comes days after Woolworths returned its home delivery to all customers, doubling its capacity in the process.

The supermarket giant teamed up with last-mile couriers Sherpa and Yello to help with the enormous load of orders. The move has added a further 5000 delivery drivers to Woolworths’ operation.

Woolworths adopts new strategies to deal with virus demand

Woolworths alongside Coles have continually been at the forefront of Australia’s coronavirus narrative, prompted by a surge in demand for products, most notably toilet paper, and panic-buying from shoppers ahead of an unprecedented lockdown period.

Last week, it was revealed the supermarket is trialling one-way aisles in some stores to see if it can improve social distancing.

Woolworths has also launched the Priority Assistance service for vulnerable customers which assists the elderly, people with disability and those in mandatory isolation.

Customers who meet those criteria can register online.

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