Rapid home delivery companies to join forces

Turkish company Getir, which has aggressively expanded since the start of 2021 into eight countries including the UK, has reached a “definitive agreement” to buy one of its main rivals, Weezy.

Weezy, the first rapid grocery business founded in the UK by two entrepreneurs in 2019, delivers to customers in London, Manchester, Brighton and Bristol.

Getir has expanded to 15 cities, including Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool since arriving in the UK in January 2021.

Rapid delivery, where companies aim to get goods to customers in as little as 10 minutes, has boomed during the pandemic when some shoppers have been fearful of visiting stores.

Getir, which pioneered the sector internationally when it was established in Turkey in 2015, offers consumers a selection of some 2,000 grocery products that are ordered online and delivered to homes “within minutes” at any time of day.

Turancan Salur, Getir UK general manager, said: “Getir is able to offer a great service to our customers thanks to us working with the best people and constantly innovating.

“Teaming up with Weezy, which has quickly established itself across the UK, is an exciting opportunity.”

The sector has attracted a growing number of operators, including Gorillas, Dija, Zapp and Jiffy.

Big retailers are aware of growing demand for rapid delivery and are taking steps to provide it for their shoppers.

Tesco has linked up with the German group Gorillas and is testing rapid deliveries from a small number of its London stores.