UK supermarket chain Waitrose has partnered with AI specialist Satalia to enhance its delivery network, giving customers more convenience while reducing environmental impact.

The collaboration uses AI to optimise delivery routes, helping Waitrose deliver on its commitment to service and sustainability.

By integrating Satalia’s technology, Waitrose can better plan delivery schedules, reduce travel times and lower fuel consumption across its fleet. This means customers benefit from more accurate delivery slots and a reliable service, while the overall carbon footprint of the network is reduced.

Since the introduction, Waitrose has seen measurable improvements across key operational metrics. These include a year-on-year 8% reduction in delivery distance and a 12% increase in drops per route. In addition to a gain in on-the-road efficiency, customer delivery slot availability has increased by four percentage points, despite increasing delivery volume. These gains have not only enhanced the customer experience but also contributed to cost efficiencies and lower emissions across the network.

“Delivering the best possible experience for our customers has always been at the heart of what we do,” said James Lee, head of fulfilment at Waitrose (www.waitrose.com). “Working with Satalia allows us to offer even greater convenience, while taking another important step towards our goal of reducing emissions and operating more sustainably.”

Satalia’s AI-driven platform provides real-time optimisation, taking into account variables such as traffic conditions, vehicle capacity and delivery time windows. This dynamic approach ensures resources are used efficiently, helping Waitrose maintain its standards of service in an increasingly competitive retail landscape.

The service is live across Waitrose’s 170 stores, two customer fulfilment centres and 1400 vans, supporting 160,000 home deliveries each week, equivalent to 8.3 million deliveries annually.

“We’re proud to support Waitrose in achieving both operational efficiency and sustainability goals,” said Daniel Hulme, CEO of Satalia (www.satalia.com). “By leveraging AI, we can make complex decisions at scale that benefit customers, businesses and the planet.”