Majestic Wine is partnering with on-demand courier company Gophr as it prepares to keep customers’ alcohol stocked up throughout a summer of sport.
The tie-up, which has been successfully trialled across regions including London, Carlisle, Shrewsbury and Yeovil, will allow shoppers to access rapid same-day deliveries, while supporting the wine retailer’s existing network of 220 delivery vans.
Those buying large volumes of wines, beers and spirits across its stores can request their baskets to be sent to their homes within hours via Gophr’s on-demand couriers.
While online shoppers can continue to use the business’s same-day click and collect or next-day delivery options.
The company said the partnership would help it service increased order volumes during peak periods and cover any driver absences due to sickness or annual leave, by drafting in fleet cover from Gophr at short notice.
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The move comes as the drinks specialist predicts increased demand for alcohol, as consumers celebrate a summer of sporting events, including the Paris Olympics and Wimbledon tennis championships, at parties, pubs, bars and other hospitality venues.
Majestic insisted it would see its biggest summer of beer sales in its 44-year history, following its “best-ever Christmas” last year, forecasting a 15% rise year-on-year.
Majestic CEO John Colley said: “We know that our customers value the convenience and flexibility of getting expert advice from our store colleagues and paying for their orders in person, before having their wines delivered to their doorsteps at a later date.
“This exciting new partnership with Gophr gives our customers the added option of having their large in-store purchases delivered to their homes within a matter of hours.”
He added: “Gophr will also offer on-demand support to our existing fleet of more than 200 vans, beefing up our delivery capacity whenever we need it.
“This provides vital reassurance for our retail and on-trade customers that they will receive exactly what they have ordered from us, exactly when they want it – even during our summer, Christmas and Easter peaks.”
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