Tesco and Sainsbury’s pull out of TfL’s click & collect tube scheme
Tesco and Sainsbury’s have reportedly failed to convince commuters of the benefits of picking up shopping at tube stations, and have pulled out of the scheme introduced by Transport for London (TfL).
TfL introduced the idea in 2013 to allow customers to order online and collect from one of 10 station "hubs". It was one element of a wider plan to better use the vacant space across its network.
However, interest from consumers was low according to Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
Speaking to City AM, a Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: "We set up a few trial collection points with TfL last year to see how customers used the service. Although it was popular in some areas, it wasn’t used in others as much as we’d like, so we’re now focussed on rolling out a grocery Click & Collect service in our stores across the country – with over 20 sites in operation and 100 due by the end of the year.”
A Tesco spokesperson echoed the comment, and said its customers prefer the Click & Collect service at stores and online grocery shopping.
According to the Evening Standard, a source said the hubs were being used by local residents who would drive to the car parks to pick up their shopping, rather than commuters.
Asda, Waitrose and Ocado continue to use the scheme.