Marks & Spencer teams with Deliveroo to reach vulnerable customers

In troubled times, unlikely partnerships are springing up in the business world.

As was announced today, Deliveroo will begin delivering a range of Marks & Spencer groceries to help people isolating in their homes due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The partnership approach

Deliveroo has signed a deal with BP and M&S that is designed to help families who are unable to buy essential items from local stores. They will be able to use the app to buy products including milk, bread and juices, and a range of pizzas and ready-meals without a delivery fee from 120 M&S franchises, the firms announced.

A selected range of approximately 60 M&S products will be available to order on Deliveroo and delivered straight to people’s homes within 30 minutes.

Products on offer include M&S 100% Orange Juice Smooth 1L, M&S 12″ Stone Baked Cheese & Tomato Pizza, M&S 4 Pint Semi Skimmed Milk, M&S Super Seed Loaf 800g, and the M&S Chilli & Rice Meal.

Famed for its speedy delivery by cyclists, Deliveroo also said it has launched a separate “essentials” service to enable customers to buy tinned goods including pasta and household items.

Customers in Cambridge have been able to make orders since last week. This has led to the scheme being rolled out across Reading, Brighton, Nottingham, Manchester, Leeds and London over the next two weeks.

Take-aways taking off

Deliveroo has continued to operate throughout the outbreak, and could benefit from restaurants shutting down and only being allowed to offer takeaways and deliveries. Its riders, who are considered “self-employed”, have had a hardship fund set up and any forced to self-isolate are receiving payment on providing a doctor’s note.

Deliveroo is planning to add similar schemes in the United Arab Emirates, France, Spain and Australia.

Deliveroo chief executive Will Shu said: “We want to do everything possible to help people get the food they want and need during this worrying period.”

New restrictions on the UK public

The news comes as the UK death toll hit 335 (as of 23rd March) and the Prime Minister brought in new emergency police powers allowing officers to fine people in the street and break up groups of two or more.

All delivery operators have reported a surge of restaurants attempting to join their services in recent days, after the Government called on people to avoid going to pubs, restaurants and cafes.

Image: Marks & Spencer

 

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