Waitrose and Tesco to set up Tube collection
TESCO and Waitrose are opening six click-and-collect points each in the London Underground this year, as part of TfL’s efforts to get more retailers using the Tube.
The supermarkets will follow Asda, which is running a six-month trial in car parks near Tube stations, with plans to open more outlets this year.
Tesco will launch next month at station car parks near Osterley, Newbury Park, Rayners Lane, Finchley Central, Arnos Grove and Cockfosters. Waitrose is yet to confirm where it will open.
And InPost UK, which installs automated parcel lockers for customers to collect online orders, yesterday said it is starting services at three stations soon.
The world’s first flower vending machine was launched last week at Blackfriars station.
Trading has been going very well so far, says Rockflower founder Andrew McAlpine – with the 24-hour opening particularly popular with late-night commuters in need of a bouquet for their return home.
Transport for London hopes to increase its non-fare revenues from £262m in 2012-13 to £546m by 2014-15, with some of this coming from retail rents.