Currys and Uber join forces for 30-minute rapid delivery trial

Currys and Uber have announced a new trial that puts technology on the takeaway menu for Londoners, enabling them to order small tech items and get them delivered fast.

Launching the week of 15th November, the tech and delivery giants will come together to respond to growing consumer demand for speed and convenience with an offer that will help deliver tech purchases into the homes of Londoners in as little as 30 minutes, a service that is quicker than any electronics competitors.

The venture is Uber’s biggest UK retailer partnership to date and builds on Currys’ burgeoning online and delivery proposition, which includes the pioneering ShopLive 24/7 video shopping service and its one-hour Order & Collect service.

During the pilot, which will run for three months, shoppers using Currys’ website can choose from a range of 1,800 tech items, including headphones, printer cartridges, laptops and phone chargers, with the delivery powered by Uber’s technology and network of couriers who use the app.

The initial pilot phase will be rolled out across 15 London stores. Deliveries will cover 12 London boroughs including the City of Westminster. Over the past year, demand for deliveries has grown exponentially and Uber has been working closely with retailers to help make sure that they can easily fulfill customer demand. Uber estimates that the delivery as a service industry has the potential to be a multi-million-dollar industry worldwide.

The pandemic highlighted just how important a role technology plays in people’s lives, connecting loved ones, teaching new skills and keeping everyone entertained. It also showed a growing demand for vital small tech and accessories; with computer mice, webcams and printer ink being amongst Currys’ top selling small tech products during the UK’s three lockdowns.

To order, customers simply need to visit the Currys website or Currys app and opt for same-day delivery at the checkout. They will be able to order up until two hours before store closing time, with delivery in as little as 30 minutes. The delivery charge will be £5. The 1,800 products on offer via the service are all under 7kg and have to meet set dimensions in order to fit within the courier’s portable bag.

“The world has shifted to a hybrid way of working and more customers are demanding greater convenience and speedier delivery to get their hands on tech,” said Mark Allsop, Chief Operating Officer at Currys. “We want to make it easy to shop, for all of our customers. We want customers to get products in their hands and homes as soon as they want them – right now, with super-fast delivery! We already have a one-hour online Order & Collect service, and pioneered the 24/7 video shopping service, with our ShopLive offer. This new ‘from store to door’ delivery pilot with Uber is the next step in our exciting omni-channel journey.”