Does Kroger Have Online Grocery Shopping?
Regardless of whether or not you are shopping for groceries, or other items, you should always know what your options are. Fortunately, there are several different ways that you can shop online.
Substitutions for out-of-stock items
Whether you shop at a Kroger or a Walmart, substitutions are a fact of life. Even though the company claims to keep all of its items in stock, there will be times when a customer will be forced to make a substitution. The same item may be available in a different package, and the price may be slightly adjusted.
The biggest question is whether or not you are really going to want to accept a substitute. If you do, do you know what to expect? Fortunately, the Kroger Pickup Associates are trained to accommodate these requests.
There are a number of ways to deal with substitutions, but you should be prepared for the possibility of a big ol’ refund on the spot. This is especially true if you are not happy with the replacement you have been given.
There is also a more technical process to figuring out what substitutions you are being offered. This involves a little bit of arithmetic and an explanation of the difference between the various types of substitutions.
Free pickup on orders of $35 or more
Having free pickup and delivery for your groceries is a big deal for some of us. Luckily for us, there are plenty of retailers in our fair city that are willing to offer our hard earned cash a hand. Of course, we’re not talking about your usual supermarket or grocery store. That’s where Amazon comes in. Depending on your location, you can expect to enjoy free pick up and delivery on eligible items. Alternatively, you can even score express delivery for an additional fee.
The same can be said of Amazon’s free shipping for your eligible items. It’s a slick system that works well for both you and your groceries. Of course, you’re not going to get a free ride if you’re not an Amazon Prime member. You can also get free delivery on your eligible items with the help of your credit card. The rewards are a bit on the heavy side, but it’s all in the name of convenience.
Payment to Ocado
Almost three years ago, Kroger and Ocado signed an agreement. They are now working together on a partnership that could change the face of grocery ecommerce in the United States.
The deal will give Kroger a 5 percent stake in Ocado. This stake is valued at approximately 183 million pounds, and will cost Kroger $250 million. In return, it will receive an exclusive partnership in the U.S. for Ocado’s home delivery platform. This will give Ocado a foothold in the U.S. market, which is dominated by Walmart and Publix.
Ocado’s home delivery platform includes hundreds of robots that pick, pack, and deliver orders. They are used to process online grocery orders in massive warehouses. The robots move along a grid of plastic totes and run a storage-and-retrieval system. Ocado also uses software to power the robots.
The technology used by Ocado in its Smart Platform is different from that of other retailers. It combines robotics and vertical integration, and it is expected to automate the packing and fulfillment of online grocery orders.
Expanding into new markets
During its most recent fiscal year, Kroger’s digital sales grew 116%. And it plans to double its digital sales by 2023. Despite Kroger’s modest share of the e-grocery market, the company is investing heavily in online grocery shopping.
Kroger plans to build automated distribution centers and customer fulfillment centers. These facilities will connect an array of regional markets. They will also help the company fulfill online grocery orders more efficiently. These facilities will range from 135,000 square feet to 375,000 square feet. They will cost between $50 million and $100 million to build.
The first two facilities will go live in the next few weeks. A third facility will open in Frederick, MD, next year. These are part of the grocer’s strategy to expand into new markets.
As it adds these facilities, Kroger will also expand its ClickList service. This allows customers to shop online for groceries and then pick them up from the store. The grocer currently has 15 stores that offer ClickList.
