BP is offering home delivery of food items from its petrol and convenience stores.

The service, called Couchfood, is a partnership with Uber Eats and represents the next step in BP’s push into convenience.

Customers can order prepared food and, such as sausage rolls and soft drinks, as well as pantry items, such as milk and bread, through an app.

BP general manager of marketing and retail innovation Adam Arnold said the retailer has recognised the changing habits of its consumers, with millennials in particular utilising Uber Eats.

“BP is excited to offer food and drinks via the Uber Eats app,” Arnold said.

“We have partnered with Uber Eats as we know consumers are looking for ease, and enjoying the things that matter to them most, like spending time with family and friends at home, particularly as it gets colder.”

According to BP, one in four Australians aged 23-34 order from meal-delivery apps such as Uber Eats and Deliveroo, and spend an average of $102 per month through these apps.

“We’re excited by the enthusiastic response from customers so far,” Arnold said.

“We keep adding new locations for Couchfood, as we see considerable demand for a wide range of snacks and drinks from customers wanting to order from the comfort of their couch.”

A focus on convenience

BP Australia’s general manager of retail Amanda Woollard recently told Inside Retail the lines between traditional retail segments were blurring, with competition and disruption intensifying across the industry.

“As always, consumer behaviours are influencing the speed of change and there seem to be two very clear trends dominating today’s convenience retail landscape: technology is king, and time is a value proposition,” said Woollard.

“Our customers are more informed and connected than ever before, and a world-class customer experience is in demand. This means we need to be pre-empting their needs and bringing new offers to market that don’t just meet but exceed their expectations.”

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