Amazon is planning to open 30 Go convenience stores in the UK, with ten locations already secured and negotiations ongoing with regard to an additional 20 outlets, preferably close to highly-frequented transport hubs. The first store is expected to open before the end of this year.
The move, which is yet to be formally confirmed by the ecommerce giant, will further increase competitive pressure as leading grocers in the UK accelerate investment to provide fast, frictionless and convenience solutions to a shopper turned cautious by the pandemic. In the face of fast-changing shopper expectations, even discounter Aldi Süd is now beginning to invest in food ecommerce solutions and frictionless formats.
Brands must be aware that such moves will make both ecommerce offers and frictionless solutions table stake capabilities in the post-pandemic UK retail landscape. As COVID-19 fast-forwards ecommerce expansion by around one year across key Western markets and demand for frictionless solutions expands, CPGs must support and defend relevance by providing appropriate products, pack sizes and content, as well as fast and flexible supply chains.
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