Media Release
29 January, 2020
Carrum Downs the first Woolworths in Australia to get cutting edge online shopping technology
Woolworths has started work on its first Australian eStore at its Carrum Downs supermarket.
The eStore will house state-of-the-art automated picking technology in a 2,400 square metre facility at the rear of the existing supermarket.
Upon completion in the middle of the year, the eStore will help the Carrum Downs team keep pace with strong demand for online orders in a key growth corridor of southeast Melbourne.
Woolworths eCommerce Director Annette Karantoni said: “We’re seeing rapid growth in online orders as our customers seek more convenient ways to reclaim time in their busy lives.
“Our customers will only continue to look for faster and more flexible delivery options in the future.
“We believe smart fulfilment through our local store network is key to delivering this.
“We’re excited to see how this hyperlocal model develops and delighted to start our journey in Carrum Downs.”
Woolworths first announced its partnership with Takeoff Technologies in August 2019. Carrum Downs is one of three initial Woolworths Group sites to trial the capability in 2020. The other confirmed sites are in Auckland and Christchurch, New Zealand.
Woolworths’ online sales grew at more than 30 percent across Australia in F19. The micro-fulfilment technology is designed to meet this growing demand for online groceries by moving high volume long-life products closer to online customers. This will not only allow for faster online deliveries, but also help keep aisles clear for in-store shoppers.
Insitu Group has been appointed as the builder and the project is expected to create up to 70 jobs throughout the construction.
Source: Woolworths Group.