The future of shopping is now in store as Asda Darlaston scheme clicks into place
A new click-and-collect service has been launched at a supermarket, creating seven jobs.
It allows customers at Asda in Darlaston to pick up their shopping without going to the effort of pushing a trolley round the store.
They can make the order online and then arrange a two-hour slot to collect it.
When they arrive at a store, customers will be given an order number, and their shopping will be brought out within five minutes.
Bosses say the service is already proving popular and, along with online deliveries, is seen as the future of shopping.
Express & Star Deputy Editor Diane Davies was among guests invited to the launch of the service.
Community life colleague Cath Whitehouse, who runs the service, said: "Our hope is that this will take off and it seems to be doing well so far.
"I think the way we live nowadays in this computerised age, this fits in well with people's busy lives.
"If a mum is picking up her kids from school, she can arrange to collect her shopping after to save her time.
"It means she doesn't have to go round the store with her children and makes life much easier.
"This is the direction things are heading in and life is so quick that people need help to save them time. We even get businesses coming to do their tea , coffee and milk run at the start of the week."
Mrs Whitehouse said it was hoped the service would expand further in the coming months.
If shoppers make an order before 11pm, they can turn up to collect it before 10am the next day.
Any made after 11pm mean collections can be made from 4pm to 10pm.
A row of freezers have been set up in the 'hub' behind the scenes, to keep bags of frozen food separate once an order has been processed.
Click and collect services have proved popular at stores across the West Midlands in recent years.
The major supermarket chains have all expanded their click and collect services in the last year.
It comes after Asda revealed it will create up to 12,000 jobs over the next five years as it continues to expand.
Plans include 40 new conventional superstores, 100 new supermarkets, 150 forecourt shops, and 1,000 new click-and-collect points.
Bosses say they have faced tough competition from discount chains such as Aldi and Lidl.
Waitrose in Wolverhampton launched its click-and-collect facility last year, and its success prompted it to be rolled out across the country in Cheltenham, Southend, Salisbury and Lincoln.
