Woolworths is finding new ways to get its groceries to customers as Covid-19 lockdowns keep many Australians indoors, and has partnered with Uber to bring same-hour-grocery-delivery to Sydney and Melbourne later this month.

The offer will expand across the eastern seaboard after its initial launch on August 30, and will be available through the business’ Metro stores nationwide by early next year.

The service will initially be available from the Balaclava, Hadfield and Hawthorn stores in Melbourne, and the Bondi, Maroubra Beach, Padstow, Erskineville, Pyrmont, Randwick, Redfern, Rose Bay, and Rozelle stores in Sydney.

Orders will be picked and packed by Woolworths’ workers, before being handed off to Uber Eats delivery staff.

The idea isn’t to have Uber drivers deliver customers a full grocery shop, said Woolies Metro general manager Justin Nolan, but to bring a smaller ‘top-up’ shop to your door, and will complement the business’ bigger e-commerce offering.

“Importantly, it will also help us meet the needs of customers seeking to limit their community outings during the pandemic,” Nolan said.

Uber Eats regional general manager of retail ANZ Lucas Groeneveld said home delivery has soared in demand throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, and as lockdowns continue the demand is likely to stay high.

The broader initiative follows a trial partnership with Uber in 2020.

Woolworths is by no means the first supermarket to partner with Uber Eats, with IGA and convenience centres such as BP also available for similar shops, and Coles having partnered in 2019.