Weezy

Weezy entered the burgeoning UK on-demand grocery market in late 2019, positioning itself as the nation's first ultrafast grocery delivery service. Founded by Kristof Van Beveren and Alec Dent, the company aimed to address a gap in the market for time-poor professionals and parents who desired the speed of on-demand services without prohibitive costs. The founders identified that consumers were increasingly seeking simpler and faster ways to shop for groceries.

The business operated on a hyperlocal model, utilizing its own strategically located fulfillment centers, often referred to as 'dark stores', which were not open to the public. This setup was designed for rapid picking and packing of orders. Revenue was generated through a margin on the products sold and a flat delivery fee of £2.95 per order. Customers placed orders via the Weezy app or website, selecting from a curated range of around 2,000 SKUs, which included fresh produce from wholesalers like New Covent Garden Market, as well as items from local butchers and bakers. The company managed its own fleet of bicycle couriers and electric mopeds to complete deliveries, promising order fulfillment in as little as 15 minutes.

Weezy initially launched in affluent London districts like Fulham and Chelsea before expanding to other areas of London, Manchester, Brighton, and Bristol. The company secured pre-seed funding of £1 million led by Heartcore Capital and later raised a $20 million Series A round. However, the rapid delivery market became intensely competitive with multiple players like Getir, Gorillas, and Zapp vying for market share. Amidst this consolidation, Weezy was acquired by its larger Turkish rival, Getir, in a definitive agreement announced in November 2021. The deal saw Getir absorb Weezy's 700 employees and its UK operations, marking a significant moment of consolidation within the UK's fast-growing rapid delivery sector.

Keywords: on-demand grocery, ultrafast delivery, quick commerce, hyperlocal delivery, dark store, grocery delivery UK, online supermarket, last-mile delivery, food tech, mobile commerce, Weezy, Getir acquisition, Kristof Van Beveren, Alec Dent, venture capital, London startup, e-commerce, retail technology, convenience shopping, app-based retail