British supermarket chain Waitrose has formed a multi-year partnership with Just Eat, the UK's largest delivery network, to enhance its reach in the on-demand grocery and convenience sectors.  

This collaboration will enable Just Eat customers to have food and drink from Waitrose delivered in 30 minutes or under from 229 locations across the UK. 

The partnership has already commenced in Birmingham, Glasgow, London and Manchester.  

The move aligns with Waitrose's 140% surge in average weekly on-demand grocery sales in the first half of 2024, as the retailer aims to cater to a wider customer base. 

Just Eat's platform, which serviced 12 grocery orders per minute to UK customers in 2023, will offer thousands of items from Waitrose, including the premium Waitrose No 1 range and the Essential Waitrose line.  

Customers will also have access to Waitrose Duchy Organic, fresh ready meals, free-from and vegan products, local British brands and award-winning beverages. 

Looking ahead to the 2024 festive season, more than 550 Waitrose Christmas products, featuring 175 new items, will be available.  

This announcement follows partnerships by Just Eat with Boots, Cardfactory, Lovehoney and HelloFresh. 

Waitrose executive director James Bailey said: "Partnering with Just Eat and stepping up our plans for new shops allows us to reach even more customers who want the same commitment to quality, taste and ethical standards whenever and wherever they want to enjoy great food. As demand for greater convenience has grown, so have expectations of convenience food - and that is a huge opportunity for us." 

In August 2024, Waitrose announced plans to open 100 convenience stores up to 2029 in a £1bn ($1.3bn) investment in new outlets and refurbishments.