Uber has been testing out its own courier service for a few months now, and it looks like the company is finally ready to actually launch it. According to reports, the company is planning to announce partnerships with several major retailers later this fall, and will have an Uber-powered express delivery option implemented into shopping apps and websites. The rollout will apparently start in New York City, with a San Francisco rollout expected to be come soon after.
For at least a year, Uber has experimented with transporting packages in addition to people. Now it’s ready to make the arrangement more formal. The popular ride-hailing service is planning a partnership announcement this fall with big retailers and fashion brands that could number in the dozens, as it looks to make Uber an express delivery option for shoppers on a wide range of shopping websites and apps, according to three sources. Uber could announce the partnerships as soon as late September or early October, these people said. Two people familiar with the rollout say it will start in New York City and include among its partnerships some flashy, luxury brands whose flagship stores are usually found on or around Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. Partnerships with retailers in San Francisco will be announced at the same time or soon after, another source said. It’s not clear which specific retailers and brands will be included in the initial launch.