Coles Online has launched a Rapid Click & Collect service promising customers they collect their orders from participating stores in less than 60 minutes.

The launch follows a pilot program early this year which saw demand for the click-and-collect service double. Now it has been extended to 400 Coles stores across the country with another 200 to follow early next year.

Customers can order from an extended range of over 20,000 products – including some which were not usually offered for home delivery like the hot roast chickens – as well as shop from a range of local and international beer, wine and spirits from selected stores.

Coles CEO Steven Cain said customers are increasingly “looking for more convenience” when shopping and are seeking omnichannel solutions.

“Our research shows the number one consideration for online shoppers is convenience and for click-and-collect customers, it’s the immediate collection.”

Coinciding with the launch, the retailer has opened a new generation of supermarket design in the Melbourne suburb of Cheltenham, which features the company’s largest Click&Collect area yet, featuring digital screens customers can use to navigate to an available Click&Collect bay.

The retailer says store technology will help team members track customer arrivals and departures better, resulting in reduced waiting times.

In February last year, Coles launched a 90-minute click-and-collect service at 400 stores.

Further reading: Have you missed the click-and-collect train?