Deliveroo is to “expand aggressively” to reach more than half the UK population by the end of 2019, up from the third it can serve now.
The push, which follows investment from Amazon, will make Deliveroo restaurant delivery available to a claimed 6.5 million additional homes.
Deliveroo will also invest heavily in expanding its tech team, hiring software engineers, algorithm experts and data scientists, a spokesman said.
Amazon was announced last month as the lead investor in a £450m fundraising round to enable Deliveroo to accelerate growth, including expanding reach and growing the London tech team.
Analysts have said the internet giant could use Deliveroo for its Amazon Fresh grocery service, which is expected to expand beyond its current reach in and around London. The investment “has the potential to consolidate food delivery capabilities, including Amazon Fresh”, said Kantar VP of e-commerce and digital insights, Malcolm Pinkerton.
Deliveroo already delivers groceries for the Co-op in Manchester, London and Hove.
“This is a really exciting time for the company,” said Deliveroo founder and CEO Will Shu. “We are doubling down in markets where we know the growth potential is huge, we’re leading the way in investing in innovations like our Editions super kitchens and every day we are recruiting world-class tech to power our operations.”
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