Waitrose is to test a delivery service which will allow drivers to enter a customer's home while they are out, and put their groceries away. The trial uses Yale "smart lock" technology to allow customers to set an access code for their door lock which is deleted when the delivery is complete. The pilot starting later this month will involve 100 homes in south London, the aim being to boost loyalty and profitability. Participating customers will set a temporary access code for their smart lock which will be sent to Waitrose via a secure app.

Waitrose, which is owned by the John Lewis Partnership, will be the first UK supermarket to try "in-home" deliveries. Archie Mason, Waitrose head of business development, said there was "an increasing demand" among customers to make shopping "even more convenient to fit around their busy lifestyles". "The concept of 'in-home delivery' has started to prove popular in other countries so we are keen to establish if there is an appetite for it in the UK," he said.

press release "Waitrose & Partners to deliver and put away your shopping while you're out"