Colruyt Group’s online shopping service launched a new city concept in Ixelles on Wednesday aimed at catering specifically to cyclists or pedestrians, according to a press release.
Cyclists can ride into the collection point, where customers can easily transfer their online purchases into their own bags or even use a cargo bicycle free of charge.
“The Colruyt Lowest Prices and Bio-Planet stores, and the adjoining Collect&Go collection points, are now mainly available on the outskirts of town and are primarily aimed at customers who come by car. With Collect&Go walk-in, we specifically target the people of Brussels who go shopping on foot, by bike or on a scooter,” explained Tom De Prater, Collect&Go Manager.
“The location at the heart of Ixelles makes our collection point easily accessible for bicycles and pedestrians. We indeed intend to stimulate sustainable journeys and want to contribute to more ‘soft mobility’ options in the capital.”
The Collect&Go walk-in provides a range of 15,000 products to the neighbourhood and will be tested extensively in the coming months.
Supporting existing mobility plan ‘Good Move’
The new Collect&Go supports Brussels’ existing mobility plan ‘Good Move,’ which aims to improve and increase non-vehicular traffic in the congested Belgian capital as it struggles to combat heavy air pollution.
“Shopping accounts for around 13% of the trips made by the residents of Brussels. Encouraging people to do their shopping in a sustainable way is therefore essential to improve the quality of life in the city,” said Christophe Vanoerbeek, general manager of Brussels Mobility.
Photo from Colruyt Group.
“Brussels Mobility also promotes the use of cargo bikes in Brussels. This is a future-oriented solution for both private persons and professionals: half of the light goods can be transported just as easily with a cargo bike as with a car or van.”
In addition to the collection point and loading centre, a recycling point is also provided in the Collect&Go where customers can drop off plastic and cardboard packaging.
Customers can also buy cotton shopping bags, bicycle bags and cooling bags at the collection point.
Cargo bike partnership
The free-to-use cargo bicycles for customers to take home their groceries are available due to a partnership with Monkey Donkey.
“Collect&Go intends to make things easier for our urban customers, whenever we can. That is why we set up a partnership with Monkey Donkey, a sharing platform for cargo bikes,” said De Prater.
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“Customers picking up their shopping at the Châtelain collection point can use a cargo bicycle free of charge to take their purchases home. A second cargo bicycle will have its usual parking spot right in front of the collection point. That bike can also be used by local residents, however, with payment.”
Benjamin François, founder of Monkey Donkey, expressed excitement at the partnership.
“We want to be a game changer for urban mobility. Supermarkets can also play an important role in this. Some of the people living in Brussels only use their car to go shopping on Saturdays. Colruyt Group shares our innovative vision and our desire to help build ‘the city of tomorrow’ and is therefore the ideal partner for us.”
