Edinburgh-based Shoply named on annual index of disruptive UK startups

Edinburgh-based Shoply has been named on the Startups 100, the UK’s longest-running index of disruptive new startups.

Edinburgh-based Shoply named on annual index of disruptive UK startups

John Robertson, founder and CEO of Shoply

The firm has been listed at number 67 and is just one of two Scottish start-ups included in the index with Snag Tights listed at number 59. 

Shoply is an online marketplace that connects independent retailers to consumers in a digital space, it provides a service-oriented retail product for today’s convenience-minded consumer.



The platform launched in 2016, initially as Drinkly: a drinks-on-demand delivery service, promising chilled beers, wines, spirits and more store-to-door in 1 hour.

In the space of three years, Drinkly had expanded into three cities and delivered 17,000 orders. A natural progression for Drinkly was to extend its proposition into a genuine convenience offering and Drinkly rebranded to Shoply in May 2020 to reflect this change in focus.

The move to convenience home delivery has taken on increased significance during the coronavirus pandemic; sales have risen by over 500% and Shoply is now available in 40 locations throughout the UK.

John Robertson, founder and CEO of Shoply, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has really shone a spotlight on the value of home delivery, not solely as a convenience model, but as an essential service for all segments of our society, including the vulnerable and elderly.

“Convenience store operators have stepped up to the plate in bridging a gap where supermarkets have failed in the delivery of goods to people in significantly reduced timeframes and what our marketplace does is connect these stores to their community in a safe and secure online shopping space. We’re really honoured to be listed in the Startups 100.”

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