But Amazon’s broader property strategy for its store rollout could work against the rollout.
“Amazon’s main focus is location – primarily in public transport hubs,” says Kris Hamer, VP Research at Retail Insight. “But more people in the UK are working from home during lockdown and there is a lot of uncertainty around whether this will be a more permanent shift post-pandemic.
“With the anticipated increasing tax burden on businesses and prolonged economic recovery, companies will be looking to shed costs,” he adds. “Under-utilised office space will be high on the target list. This could impact Amazon’s strategy.”
“Being a parent is tougher than ever at the moment, so we wanted to do our bit to help bring families together and keep the children entertained while opportunities for days out are more limited,” said Toussaint Wattinne, general manager of Uber Eats, UK and Ireland.
While a limited range of non-takeaway or food items are available on courier apps – such as cleaning products and toiletries from supermarkets – the platforms haven’t until now launched dedicated non-food stores.
Uber Eats does list toys and pet suppliers and florists in other regions. The new approach for the UK “should be seen as the start of a deepening retail offer” said Dr Kris Hamer, VP Research at Retail Insight.