On February 11, Chris Conway, Co-op Food’s e-commerce director, announced some exciting news: a revamped business-to-business (B2B) quick commerce app is on the way. Speaking at the Retail Week and The Grocer’s Live 2025 event in North London, he revealed that the Co-op’s Nisa to You app, which has already been helping over 30 independent retailers deliver groceries quickly, is about to get a fresh start. Launched in trial form last summer, the app leverages Co-op’s technology and integrates with the same couriers used by its stores.
“We’re ready to scale up,” Conway mentioned, hinting at the significant potential to make this service even bigger. Just a couple of weeks later, on February 27, the Co-op unveiled the new app: Peckish. They’ve invested heavily—one million pounds—to develop a rapid delivery grocery service tailored for thousands of independent retailers.
But it’s not just about rebranding; it’s about empowering small, often family-owned businesses to compete online. Peckish provides these stores with tools to handle online orders and delivery from their own locations. It’s a game-changer, especially for those struggling with the costs and logistics of moving online. Some local customers could see their goods delivered in under 30 minutes.
Over the last five years, Co-op has been quietly establishing itself in the quick commerce market. They’ve partnered with Deliveroo, Just Eat, Uber Eats, and Starship Technologies for autonomous delivery in select areas. With Peckish, the independent retailers within the Nisa group can now tap into these courier partnerships as well.
The investment doesn’t stop there. Co-op is targeting over 1,000 sign-ups for Peckish in its first year, with hopes to triple that by year three. This app will connect directly to stores’ electronic point of sale (PoS) systems to minimize manual tasks like stock management and pricing. Retailers will receive additional support, from data insights to marketing materials, to help them thrive in the online marketplace.
Matt Hood, managing director of Co-op Food, acknowledged the growing demand for speedy grocery delivery, noting that consumer interest is rising weekly. Earlier this year, he had laid out ambitious plans for growth, including 75 new store openings and 80 refurbishments in 2025. A core part of this strategy is to enhance the role of shops as local hubs for online orders.
Co-op aims to capture over 30% of the quick commerce market, a driving force behind the launch of Peckish. They’re continuously enhancing their technology, completing a SAP migration in June 2024 and shifting to cloud-based systems to streamline operations.
Their collaboration with Walmart Commerce Technologies is set to improve online order fulfillment, allowing staff to manage multiple couriers efficiently. Some city center stores will even operate 24/7, providing instant delivery at any hour—perfect for late-night shoppers and busy families.
While many retailers are also stepping up their game, Co-op’s comprehensive approach stands out. Tesco has ramped up its Whoosh rapid delivery service, significantly boosting online sales during peak times. Ocado and Morrisons are expanding their own same-day delivery options, showing that the demand for quick service is everywhere.
Interestingly, Conway advises his team to look beyond grocery competitors for inspiration, citing McDonald’s as an example of effective logistics and fulfilment. He believes this mindset is crucial for Co-op’s future.
Conway also emphasized the organization’s flexible approach to innovation, encouraging experimentation and quick decisions. They’ve developed a “fail-fast mentality,” allowing for rapid growth in response to changing market conditions. With the economy facing challenges, he focuses on balancing operational efficiency with investment in new ideas.
Co-op seems to be positioning itself well for the future, adapting and evolving to meet changing customer needs while navigating economic pressures. Conway believes that continued innovation and a commitment to community will be key as they move forward.