New delivery options and curbside pickup are all the rage as quarantine measures continue. This week Empire Company Limited has announced the expansion of the Sobeys curbside pickup program in Atlantic Canada. The program fittingly called Voilà, will be available in three locations across Nova Scotia and will offer shoppers fresh, affordable products delivered right to their cars for a contactless option.
“This is just another way we are bringing online grocery to more Canadians, faster,” said Sarah Joyce, Senior Vice President of E-Commerce at Empire. “Voilà by Sobeys Curbside Pickup combines our industry-leading online shopping experience with a seamless curbside pickup service. Our teammates are excited and ready to bring this best-in-class service to customers in our home province, building on our strong legacy as the hometown grocer of Atlantic Canada.”
Powered by Ocado Group plc’s proven in-store fulfillment technology, this curbside pickup service model allows customers to shop online or via mobile app from a growing selection of products. Voilà by Sobeys teammates uses handheld devices to assemble orders with efficiency and accuracy, focusing on freshness and safety. According to a press release, customers select a convenient one- hour window for contactless curbside pickup.
In response to the impact that COVID-19 has had on Canadians, Empire has implemented significant safety protocols to keep Voilà by Sobeys Curbside Pickup teammates and customers safe, following standards and recommendations set out by the Public Health Agency of Canada. These include frequent cleaning, sanitization, and hygiene standards for all curbside pickup teammates and equipment. Curbside pickup teammates wear face masks when assembling and delivering orders, and all teammates respect physical distancing guidelines. All orders will be placed directly into customers’ cars by Voilà by Sobeys teammates to provide a contactless experience.
Empire will expand Voilà Curbside Pickup to stores across Canada over the next few years as part of the company’s Project Horizon strategy. Empire has one Customer Fulfillment Centre (CFC) operational in Ontario, providing Voilà by Sobeys Home Delivery services, and is currently building a second CFC in Montreal. Empire plans to build two additional CFCs across Canada to cover 75 percent of the population.
To see a complete list of the Nova Scotia locations where Voilà by Sobeys Curbside Pickup has been expanded, access the press release here.
What other contactless innovations will be see from the retailer as it continues to expand? Keep reading Deli Market News for the latest.
