Delivery option for Co-op

The Katanning Co-op has launched a delivery service to help people get their groceries while staying at home in the COVID-19 crisis.

While the store has always done deliveries to some bigger customers, it has expanded the service so anyone can access it.

The Co-op is charging $1 per kilometre for delivery outside of Katanning, and a flat fee of $5 inside the town, except for pensioners, who are eligible for free delivery.

Adrian Richardson is the chairman of Regional Retailers, which operates the Co-op. He said they were trying to be proactive.

“We have started doing deliveries which can be telephoned or emailed in, then packed for you and put through the till,” he said.

“We then ring you up and tell you how much that shop is going to cost and you pay by card over the phone. You can then give us details of where you want it delivered.”

Mr Richardson said the team were prepared for a potential increase in customers wanting deliveries as more stores closed their doors — potentially including stores inside the Co-op.

Closures could lead to an entirely contactless service.

“We have instigated this now so that at the moment we can still be doing both, but should it advance to the fact that we have to do it all that way, people can see how that already works and be more comfortable,” he said.

“It is especially important to the more remote people because if they come to town to do their shopping, they are not necessarily getting most of their supplies because the day they come in, we might not have those items in stock.”