Asda is testing out using lockers so you can get shopping delivered while you’re out

SHOPPERS may never have to wait in for their food deliveries again after Asda launched unattended drop-offs.

The supermarket is trialling deliveries while a shopper is out by leaving secure unattended boxes outside a customer’s home.

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Asda is testing delivery boxes so your shopping can be delivered while you are outCredit: Asda

It has become the first UK supermarket to run a test like this to make grocery deliveries more convenient for shoppers.

Rather than waiting in during an allocated time slot, your shopping could be delivered within a four-hour delivery window whilst you are out.

That leaves you free to go out whenever you want or even get your shopping delivered at a convenient time while you are at work.

The boxes are currently being trialled in Yorkshire, the north east and south of England and Wales.

How to cut the cost of your grocery shop

SAVING on your shop can make a big difference to your wallet. Here are some tips from comparison site Money.co.uk about how you can cut the cost of your shopping bills:

  • Write yourself a list – Only buy items that you need. If it isn’t on your list, don’t put it in the trolley
  • Create a budget – Work out a weekly budget for your food shopping
  • Never shop hungry – you are far more likely to buy more food if your tummy is rumbling
  • Don’t buy pre-chopped veggies or fruit – The extra they’ll charge for chopping can be eye watering
  • Use social media – follow your favourite retailers to find out about the latest deals
  • Be disloyal – You may want to go to different stores to find the best bargains
  • Check the small print –  It’s always worth checking the price per kg/lb/litre when comparing offers so you’re making a like for like decision as a bigger box won’t necessarily mean you get more
  • Use your loyalty cards – Don’t be afraid to sign up to them all. They all work slightly differently – work out what bonus suits you better and remember to trade in your points for additional rewards

They are fixed permanently outside customers’ homes and can be used for a regular shop including chilled and frozen items.

The driver will bring your shopping and enter a one-time code that allows them access the box to make a single delivery.

Once your food is safely inside the driver will lock it securely and customers can then access it once they get home.

Insulating materials are used to maintain the correct product temperature when shopping is placed in the box and ensure items are unaffected by hot or cold weather.

But customers are advised to remove chilled and frozen items from the box after four hours from the point of drop off.

There are two sizes, one to hold four tote bags and one that fits six.

A spokesperson for Asda said the boxes would be hard to steal as they are fixed into place.

The service is open to customers using the Asda Delivery Pass, which costs £6 a month for deliveries anytime of day and week.

There is currently no extra charge for unattended delivery but this may change if the trial is successful.

Simon Gregg, vice president of online grocery at Asda, said: “We are pleased to be trialling an unattended delivery service as we continue to innovate and learn from new initiatives to help enhance our grocery home shopping offer.

“As things begin to open up again, the boxes provide a convenient way for customers involved in the trial to take delivery of their regular shop while they are not at home.”

Unattended deliveries are popular in the US and are offered by Walmart.

Waitrose previously trialled unattended deliveries in 2019 but it was put on hold last year though due to the pandemic.

Similar to Walmart, a delivery driver enters a code on a smart lock and is recorded putting your shopping away.

Aldi has beaten off stiff competition and was crowned the cheapest supermarket in April, according to Which?.

Meanwhile, Lidl narrowly beat Aldi as the cheapest supermarket of 2020.

We’ve rounded up 16 tips to slash your supermarket shopping bill by hundreds of pounds a year.

Asda to axe 1,200 jobs at its bakeries under major restructuring plans

 



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