Waitrose has become the latest supermarket to join Just Eat as it looks to expand its on-demand delivery grocery offer.

The partnership will roll out to 229 of the upmarket grocer’s branches including in Birmingham, Glasgow, London and Manchester.

The John Lewis Partnership-owned supermarket has existing partnerships with Deliveroo and Uber Eats.

Earlier this year, Waitrose revealed it was planning to ramp up its convenience offer by opening up to 100 new c-stores across the UK over the next five years as part of a £1bn investment into new stores and refurbishment.

In its recently revamped John Barnes store on London’s Finchley Road, Waitrose introduced its first delivery hatch to cater to the rise in on-demand groceries. The hatch allows the store to fulfil Uber Eats and Deliveroo orders outside of the store’s opening hours.

The supermarket’s executive director James Bailey said: “As demand for greater convenience has grown, so have expectations of convenience food – and rightfully so.

“Neither show signs of slowing and that is a huge opportunity for us. Partnering with Just Eat allows us to reach even more customers who want to be confident they are getting the same commitment to quality, taste and ethical standards whenever and wherever they want to enjoy great food.”

Just Eat managing director for the UK and Ireland Claire Pointon added: “Many of today’s consumers no longer consider speed a luxury but a necessity.

“Just Eat is proud to be leading this change and so we’re thrilled to be adding Waitrose to our list of grocery partners, strengthening the choice and value available for customers on the platform – whenever, and wherever, they need us.”

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