Electric cargo bikes are now making deliveries to Amazon customers in Croydon, following the launch of a new micromobility delivery hub in the town.
Croydon is among the first Amazon locations in the UK to use electric cargo bikes, building on launches in Wembley, Southwark, Shoreditch, Manchester and Glasgow.
Electric cargo bikes and on-foot deliveries are now operational from hubs in more than 20 cities across the UK and Europe.
“We’re excited to open the new micromobility hub at our Croydon delivery station as part of our commitment to our customers and our sustainability goals,” says James Partridge, Amazon Croydon Delivery Station Manager.
“This new hub will help us to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads around Croydon while also bringing more electric powered deliveries to our customers in South London.”
Part of a five-year, £300 million investment in the electrification and decarbonisation of the company’s UK transportation network, electric cargo bikes and walkers are now expected to make around 2.5 million deliveries to Amazon customers across the UK every year.
“It’s really exciting to work with Amazon to bring electric cargo bikes to Croydon,” says Asad Jillani, Director of Falcon Transport and Logistics – one of Amazon’s Delivery Service Partners (DSP) in Croydon.
“We’re looking forward to making many more sustainable deliveries as we approach the holiday season.”
More than 1,000 electric delivery vans are now in Amazon’s operation on UK roads, in addition to nine fully electric Heavy Goods Vehicles, the first in the US e-commerce giant’s fleet, which have replaced traditional diesel trucks.
Amazon Fresh
Amazon recently opened an Amazon Fresh store in Notting Hill, London.
This is its 20th in the UK market and 19th in London, with the non-London location situated in Sevenoaks, Kent.
To enter the store, customers walk through a non-gated entrance and shop for what they need.
When done, they can either scan their in-store code (via the Amazon app) at the exit gate or tap their credit card. Customers can also use one of three self-checkout tills for an extra option.
And they can pick up and return items purchased online from the in-store Amazon Hub counter, with a QR code.
Despite the latest opening, store numbers remain relatively static.
Three Amazon Fresh locations closed in the summer including the first UK one which opened in Ealing Broadway in March 2021, as well East Sheen and Wandsworth which were also less than two years old.
A Dalston location closed in January 2023.
In a recent interview with RTIH, Amazon Fresh UK Director Matt Birch said the fluidity of the stores is a result of continual learning.
“We’ve always looked to make sure that the shops we’ve got are in the right place. If you look at all convenience estates and the way retailers think about this, it’s a constantly moving feast. You’re always looking to make sure that you are where customers need you to be,” he commented.
As ever Amazon is coy about future plans, but Birch believes the strategy is going well.
“We’re very, very excited by the reactions we are getting from customers to the changes we’ve made this year. We’re continuing to look for locations where we can reach new customers and grow the business,” he said.
“Customers tell us that they love interacting with our stores and particularly love the convenience of not having to scan your own products.”
“It’s fast and customers talk about it being slightly magical as well as quite exciting which is not often words you often hear about convenience shopping. We get great feedback but also, they tell us how we can make it even better.”
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