Woolworths has opened its first eStore in Queensland – at Maroochydore – as online demand soars.

The 1250sqm space houses micro-fulfilment technology to sort and move products from automated storage units, which can hold up to 10,000 of the most in-demand grocery products, directly to team members hand-picking customer orders.

Meanwhile, vegetables and meat continue to be picked from the shop floor.

“This technology will help our team of 150 personal shoppers pick orders with greater speed and accuracy while keeping us close to our Sunshine Coast customers for faster and more flexible deliveries to the home,” said Annette Karantoni, director of e-commerce at Woolworths.

“Importantly, the eStore layout also helps reduce congestion in the aisles for our in-store customers, as our personal shoppers pick most items in the back of the house.”

The Maroochydore eStore is expected to fulfil thousands of extra online orders to Sunshine Coast customers each week.

Woolworths first announced its partnership with Takeoff Technologies in 2019 and Maroochydore is one of four Woolworths Group sites to roll out the capability. The first site launched in Carrum Downs, Victoria last year and the other two sites opened in New Zealand earlier this year under the company’s local Countdown brand.