New Grocer Initiatives Make Food Shopping More Convenient

NATIONAL REPORT — It's no secret that today's shoppers are pressed for time, so grocers are seeking to make food shopping more convenient for their customers. Kroger, Giant Eagle and Meijer are just a few of the grocery chains across the nation rolling out new services — from click-and-collect programs to home delivery — to provide enhanced convenience. 

Here's a roundup of the latest moves, as reported by Convenience Store News sister publication Progressive Grocer: 

Kroger

The Kroger Co., a Cincinnati-based grocer, is now offering its click-and-collect service, ClickList, at 16 locations in central Ohio, doubling the number of locations offering the service. ClickList was first introduced at two Columbus Kroger stores last June, followed by the addition of another six stores in the region. 

SpartanNash

In the first quarter of this year, SpartanNash began piloting a new click-and-collect service at a Grand Rapids, Mich., Family Fare location. Depending on the results, SpartanNash may roll out the program to 25 additional Family Fare locations. The chain has been trying out different versions of click-and-collect at a number of its stores in an effort to develop the sophisticated solution now coming to Family Fare.

Giant Eagle

Giant Eagle is wading into the home delivery market, piloting Curbside Express Home Delivery in Pittsburgh. The rollout follows Giant Eagle’s successful Curbside Express pickup service that launched in 2012 and is now available at 27 Giant Eagle stores. Curbside Express Home Delivery enables customers to choose from roughly 45,000 grocery items. There is a $12.95 flat-rate delivery charge on all orders following the first, free order. Orders can be placed up to seven days in advance of the desired delivery date. For next-day delivery, orders must be placed online by 11:59 p.m. the day prior. There is no minimum purchase requirement.

Bashas'

Partnering with Instacart, Bashas' has launched a program to deliver groceries to Phoenix area residents. Customers can choose their products and a delivery window on the new Bashas' grocery website, bashas.instacart.com. Delivery is free for first-time users. Following the first order, the delivery charge is $5.99 for orders of $35 and up. Customers also have the option of purchasing an Express membership that offers unlimited deliveries for a year for $149.

Stater Bros. 

Like Bashas', Stater Bros. Markets has partnered with third-party grocery delivery service Instacart. The two companies recently expanded their partnership, rolling out the service to 26 Stater Bros. locations. By accessing instacart.com/stater-bros, customers can easily place an order, which must exceed $10. Orders totaling $35 cost $5.99 to be delivered in two hours, or $7.99 for one-hour delivery.

Meijer

With the help of third-party grocery delivery service Shipt, Meijer plans to expand home delivery across its six-state Midwest footprint. Meijer successfully launched the service in Detroit last fall, generating roughly 65,000 orders since it rolled out in September. Meijer customers can enroll in the Shipt delivery service for $99 a year for unlimited deliveries of orders of $35 or more. Monthly memberships are also available. Shipt orders can be delivered to customers in an hour.

Click here to see more from Convenience Store News sister publication Progressive Grocer.