Hy-Vee is commiting fully to the digital offerings that are available to the retail market. Having only tiptoed into internet deals earlier this year, the banner is now expanding its online grocery program to all 240 of its stores across eight states.
“Our customers have been asking for an easy and convenient online shopping experience, and we’re happy to be able to offer that to them,” said Jeremy Gosch, Hy-Vee’s Senior Vice President of Merchandising. “We’re very proud of this new service and how it’s been received.”
The company’s delivery service, Hy-Vee Aisles Online, gives its consumers the option to purchase groceries electronically from the comfort of their homes, with the choice of curbside pickup or having the order delivered.
After customers place an order, an Aisles Online personal shopper hand-selects the products, which can range from meat & seafood, dairy products, prepared foods, fresh produce, and more, and keeps them in a climate-controlled tote until it is delivered.
Hy-Vee says that both store pickup and home delivery are free with a $100 order. Orders under $100, on the other hand, have a $2.95 fee for pickup and $4.95 fee for delivery.
As for what this means for traditional shopping, Hy-Vee is not hoping this will deter those that prefer to do things the old-fashioned way.
“We still love seeing our customers in the store, but we believe this is a value-added service for customers during those times when they can’t make it to the store or are pressed for time,” Gosch continued in explanation of this latest move.
The company rolled out the program to more stores after seeing its rapid success in select stores in the Des Moines metro this past April, according to a press release.
Online grocery shopping is gaining ground amongst many big name retailers, and it looks like it won’t be going away anytime soon. Several other retailers have already begun growing their own online shopping programs, including our previous coverage of Meijer and H-E-B, as well as Wal-Mart, Loblaw, and Sendik’s.
This is one trend to keep an eye out for in the New Year. Stay tuned to DeliMarket News as we continue to report on the latest retail and deli industry news.
