Woolworths has opened its first Queensland eStore with the hope of delivering more online orders to customers than ever before. 
The 1,250sqm space at the rear of the retailer’s Maroochydore (Big Top) supermarket uses cutting-edge micro-fulfilment technology to sort and move products from automated storage units directly to team members hand picking customer orders.
The storage units are said to be able to hold up to 10,000 of the “most in-demand” grocery products. Fresh fruit and vegetables and meat continue to be picked from the shopfloor.
Woolworths Operations Manager for the Sunshine Coast Peta Hartley says the continued growth in online grocery demand has given the retailer an opportunity to reimagine the future of its stores.
“As customer expectations continue to rise, we’re investing in cutting-edge technology on the Sunshine Coast to build an even better and more convenient online offer for local customers,” she says.
“This technology will help our team of 150 personal shoppers pick orders with greater speed and accuracy, while keeping us close to our Sunshine Coast customers for faster and more flexible deliveries to the home. The new delivery capacity comes at a critical time as more of our customers turn to home delivery through the pandemic.
“Importantly, the eStore layout also helps reduce congestion in the aisles for our in-store customers, as our personal shoppers pick most items in the back of house.”
Woolworths has appointed around 150 team members to help fulfil orders from the eStore, including 80 new to the business.