Coles unveils its next-level drone delivery service

Coles has just taken its delivery service to a whole new level with the supermarket giant revealing how customers can nab groceries in “minutes”.

Coles unveils its next-level delivery service. Picture: Supplied

Coles has just taken its customer service to a whole new level with the supermarket giant announcing it will be offering drone delivery.

That’s right — you can now get your groceries delivered by a drone, straight to your house — and within “minutes”.

News.com.au can reveal shoppers can order more than 250 of Coles’ most popular groceries via its new hi-tech service which comes with a zero dollar delivery fee.

However, only those living in Canberra will be the first Aussies to pilot the new tech with a bunch of items available to purchase, such as bread, fresh produce, snacks, convenience meals, health care items, kitchen essentials and even toilet paper.

There is also no minimum spend.

Coles has partnered with global on-demand drone delivery service, Wing, to bring the new service to life.

Yes, you can now order your Coles groceries via a drone. But only if you live in Canberra as they’re the first to pilot the new hi-tech delivery service. Picture: Supplied

So, how does it work?

Customers simply order via the Wing app and upon arrival, the drone hovers in the air and slowly lowers the package to the ground at the customer’s delivery location for a contactless delivery.

The move is both environmental and customer-service driven to help shoppers receive their goods even quicker.

Coles Chief Executive e-commerce Ben Hassing described it as the next evolution in delivery technology, adding that it will support Coles’ ambition to be Australia’s most sustainable supermarket by reducing the number of trucks on the road.

“We are passionate about finding innovative ways to help our customers to shop with us and we aim to deliver anytime, anywhere, anyhow shopping,” Mr Hassing said.

“By partnering with Wing, we’re able to offer our online customers another convenient option to purchase the Coles items they know and love and get them delivered straight to their door.”

Shoppers can order via the Wing app – drone delivery service company – and select from more than 250 of Coles’ most popular groceries.

Those living in the drone delivery service patch can just order online and expect a delivery “within minutes”.

Most deliveries typically take about 10 minutes or less, but delivery times may vary.

“Whether you’ve run out of milk and eggs for breakfast, forgotten to pick up a loaf of bread for school lunches, or are just after a fresh ‘grab and go’ snack, customers in our delivery service area in Canberra can now get those urgent items they need in a hurry, delivered by drone,” Simon Rossi, general manager, Wing, Australia, said.

There is no delivery fee and most deliveries typically take about 10 minutes or less. Delivery times may vary/

“In the last year we’ve seen a significant increase in use of our on-demand drone delivery service, with many customers finding the service especially useful as they stayed home, and relied on our contactless delivery service to deliver the items they needed.”

Wing made more than 100,000 deliveries in Australia in 2021 and it has already made more than 30,000 deliveries in Australia this year.

“We’re delighted to be teaming up with Coles, one of Australia’s leading retailers, to expand their delivery options for customers by taking to the skies of Canberra,” Mr Rossi added.

Wing operates 8am to 4.30pm on weekdays and Saturday and 9am to 4pm on Sundays. Customers can place a delivery during this time via the Wing app available to download on the App Store or Google Play.

The new drone delivery service makes Coles Australia’s first major grocer to offer the hi-tech service.