Sainsbury's to double 'drive-thru' Click and Collect sites

Sainsbury's is doubling the number of its "drive-thru" Click & Collect sites over the next year in response to the shifting habits of supermarket shoppers.

The supermarket said click & Collect, which launched in March last year in 100 store car parks and takes on average three minutes from start to finish, has "proved very popular" and will soon be expanded to another 100 stores.

Grocers have so far found it tricky to master the service due to the significant costs involved and the risk of cannibalising store sales, but Sainsbury's said its version has attracted new customers, while many also go into the store to quickly buy a few additional items, or use in-store services.

It did not provide details on the investment involved as it remains in a closed period ahead of its full-year results on Wednesday, but noted its groceries online business now comprises 14,500 staff.

"We know that time is precious and people are increasingly looking for easier, more convenient ways to shop. This rollout forms part of our strategy to offer our customers more options to shop whenever and wherever they want," said Robbie Feather, Sainsbury’s Director of Online.