The first local logistics hub is in Guildford, Surrey, with four new London sites opening this summer. Drop plans to open 15 new franchise sites over the next 12 months.
Drop was founded by restaurateurs and wine specialists Ian Campbell and Will Palmer, whose establishments include The 10 Cases wine bar and shop and seafood restaurant Parsons, both in Covent Garden.
It is able to offer delivery in most parts of London in less than an hour with next day delivery available for the rest of the UK. Expansion is currently focused on the 'dark store' model but the pair have also mooted Drop wine bars that will also function as distribution hubs.
The pair say Drop has seen a surge in demand since the start of lockdown, tripling its turnover as demand for on-demand convenience grows. The national franchise expansion follows a successful crowdfunding campaign that saw Drop raise in excess of £500,000.
Drop is inviting interested people, from retail and hospitality professionals, to investors looking to open multiple sites, to apply into the franchise programme and aims to be operating 85 sites nationally within the next three years.
“We are excited to be increasing Drop’s footprint and bringing our expertly curated wine delivery service to wine lovers across the UK," says Campbell.
"We have seen a significant increase in sales over the past year as customers not only opt for the convenience of one hour delivery, but also our feature-rich virtual wine cellar experience that allows them to discover the unique, quality wines without feeling overwhelmed or confused."
“Lockdown has transformed consumer expectations around convenience and speed of delivery. What initially became a solution to supermarket queues and booked out delivery slots, has since become a long-lasting shift in customer behaviour."
