Deliverwho? Sainsbury’s is bringing back the bicycle delivery service it first started in 1915
Sainsbury's is trialling a bicycle delivery service in London that promises to get groceries to customers within one hour – a service it first started in 1915.
The retailer is starting the trial from Wednesday in various parts of west London, from Westminster to Wimbledon.
Cyclists peddling food for tech startup Deliveroo have become a common sight in the capital, but Sainsbury's has been keen to point out that it first trialled home delivery over 130 years ago.
(Source: Sainsbury Archive Museum of London)
In 1882 Sainsbury's customers could order home delivery at the retailer's Croydon branch. The food would then be delivered by horse and cart, or by hand. Sainsbury's was using bikes – and tricycles – by 1915.
Shoppers will now be able to order a maximum of 20 items via the Sainsbury's app, Chop Chop. Customers pay a fee of £4.99 per delivery.
Jon Rudoe, Sainsbury's director of digital and technology, said: "This trial is part of our strategy to give our customers more options to shop with us whenever and wherever they want.
"Speed of delivery is important to some customers, so we have brought back our bicycle service to test demand further."
The service will start in west London (Source: Sainsbury's)
Sainsbury's has been increasing its presence in London recently, having announced last week that it has opened a new fulfilment centre in the capital.