Co-op claims industry first as it launches Peckish rapid online grocery app for independent retailers

UK convenience specialist Co-op has announced the launch of a new rapid delivery grocery app, Peckish, which, in what is claimed to be a grocery retail first, offers a service to independent retailers looking to serve their customers and communities online.  

Peckish will enable small, often family owned, independent grocery businesses, shops and other co-operative retail societies to provide an online grocery shopping and delivery service to their local customers.

The app overcomes barriers that independent retailers face when moving to sell online, including cost, scale and resource, allowing smaller scale bricks and mortar retailers to have a presence online and enabling more consumers to quickly and conveniently shop local and support their high street stores.  

Co-op is making an initial £1 million investment for year one on Peckish, following a 30 store trial last year, and is targeting a first year sign up of over 1,000 stores, with potential to treble that by year three.   

Shoppers can use Peckish to choose their shop from the range of products the individual retailer has selected to put online. Retailers select the price - enabling them to match in-store prices and can choose whether to deliver the online orders themselves, or for it to be managed through Co-op’s order management system and delivered locally through its delivery partners including Just Eat and Uber Direct in as little as under 30 minutes.  

Peckish will link with a retailer’s EPoS system, saving manual tasks such as pricing and stock control and management. Retailers who sign up will also receive a range of support including data, trends and insight from Co-op’s quick commerce team, Point of Sale material, window stickers, leaflets, shelf talkers, digital and social media assets, posters and banners. 

Matt Hood, Co-op Food Managing Director, says: “The growth and popularity of quick commerce in the UK is exceptional, as consumers appetite for a convenient grocery delivery service in as little as 30 minutes from ordering, increases almost weekly. “

“We are experts in running small, local convenience shops and the leading quick comm operator, and I’m excited about being able to share this expertise with all our neighbouring independent retailers, to help them extend their customer reach and services online, which in turn, can help transform their businesses.” 

“We know that smaller local shops, like our own, operate at the heart of the local community life. More than a shop, they are a community hub, creating value locally through job creation, community participation and their support of local suppliers. The ‘shop local’ sentiment is strong amongst consumers, and Peckish can help more retailers connect quickly online with their customers, providing greater consumer choice locally, and promoting healthier and more viable high streets and communities.”  

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Rapid delivery will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which will open for entries in March, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.