Grocemania Continues Expansion With Opening Of First Dark Store

 Namnews, 23rd June 2021

Grocemania, the on-demand grocery delivery app that launched in 2018, has opened its first ‘dark store’ for servicing orders in Kingston upon Thames, Greater London.

It is the first of two dark stores being launched by the company this summer with a second due to open in Twickenham next month.

Grocemania’s app and online platform allow consumers to order groceries for delivery in minutes from Nisa, Londis, Budgens, McColls and SPAR stores located in BP petrol stations, as well as independent retailers like local butchers, fishmongers and producers.

The dark stores are being launched as part of Grocemania’s new initiative, GM Local, which highlights the company’s commitment to supporting local producers by digitally connecting them to customers. Users in the same area as the new dark stores will be able to receive their orders within 10 to 15 minutes.

Over 300 retailers and producers have already signed up to the app and are trading independently across the UK. The company is also working with major FMCG brands like PepsiCo and Unilever to bring app users discounts on a variety of products.

Grocemania claims to have developed a first in the UK multi-vendor marketplace with tailored pricing for every retailer and its own stock control system. It has now invested in “state-of-the-art” Point of Sale (PoS) technology to be used within the dark stores to facilitate stock management and process transactions more rapidly and efficiently.

The company is hoping to expand its dark stores beyond London later this year, with plans to open a further 16 across England by the end of 2021 in partnership with Valli Forecourts.

Askar Bulegenov, founder and director of Grocemania, said: “Dark stores have disrupted the food delivery sector in recent years. They offer local stores a more cost-effective storage system, while typically providing consumers with a quicker, more efficient service.

“It was a logical next step, therefore, that Grocemania would expand into this exciting space – we are constantly looking for ways to improve and innovate our offering, and our dark store expansion strategy will help us do just that.

“With an even quicker delivery service for users, and superior stock management technology, we are confident that our plan will allow us to better support both local businesses, and satisfy the needs of our valued app users.”

Grocemania’s on-demand delivery service began with operations in London, Bristol and Brighton throughout 2020, and has launched in Sheffield, Leeds, Cardiff and Birmingham within the past six months.

Faster, on-demand delivery is the latest frontier in the battle for grocery shoppers with others start-ups such as Fancy, Weezy, Dija, Zapp and Getir now taking on established players like Deliveroo.

A report released by IGD this week said the ‘quick commerce’ channel is already worth £1.4bn and has significant growth potential.

NAM Implications:

• Dark stores offer:
  • local stores: a more cost-effective storage system
  • consumers: a quicker, more efficient service.
  • i.e. deliveries within 10 – 15 minutes
• Faster, on-demand delivery: start-ups such as Fancy, Weezy, Dija, Zapp and Getir…
• …now taking on established players like Deliveroo.
• See report released by IGD this week re potential