Independent retailers using Deliveroo are to face direct competition with the firm itself after it launches its own grocery-delivery service.

The delivery provider announced last week it was opening a dark store in central London, through a wholesale partnership with Morrisons.

Branded ‘Deliveroo Hop’, the delivery-only site promises deliveries in 10 minutes.

Up to 2,000 items will be on offer, as part of its agreement with the supermarket, including third-party brands and own-label products, as well as an automated inventory system eliminating the need for substitutions.

Deliveroo launches grocery store with Morrisons

Deliveroo already has experience of running dark sites following the launch of its dark kitchen network, Editions.

However, several independent retailers hit back at the firm, which has partnerships with 4,600 grocery stores across the UK.

Amrit Singh, of Nisa Local High Heath in Walsall, said: “I’ve been saying it for years – any convenience store with Deliveroo, well done, you did all the hard work and now they’ll take that data and cut you out.”

The news of the launch comes a week after stores admitted to setting up their own dark sites in an effort to compete with a growing number of grocery-delivery companies, including Getir and Weezy.

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