Kroger Central Division launched The Kroger Co.’s new on-line grocery ordering system at the Carmel, Indiana store on Aug. 9. On-line ordering will be added to additional stores by the end of the month.
Customers order on-line at www.kroger.com/onlineshopping. At the website, a customer builds a shopping cart, selects a pick-up time during a one hour window and a store location, and then places the on-line order. Next, a Kroger store associate hand picks order items and stores them in temperature appropriate zones until the customer arrives. Last, the customer pulls their vehicle up in the designated pick-up lane and a store associate will load the order in their car.
- On-line ordering is available on smart phones with internet access, but is not yet available via the Kroger app.
- As an introductory offer, Kroger will waive the $4.95 service charge for each customer’s first three orders.
- Payment is made using credit or debit cards only, by swiping the customer’s card at time of pick-up. Cash payment also is available. Coupons electronically linked to a customer’s loyalty card will automatically redeem to reduce the cost of the order.
- On-line ordering functions as an additional department in the store and those associates receive additional training.
- Since on-line ordering associates shop in each local store, the mix of items available will vary. If an ordered item is not available, store associates will offer a substitution to the customer, which the customer may accept or decline. Store associates pay particular attention to the quality and expiration dates of perishable foods like produce, meat and seafood.
- Pharmacy prescriptions are not included in the program
- Customers ordering alcohol or cigarettes will be required to follow state law and Kroger policy on the sale of controlled substances, including possible coming into the store to complete the transaction or show valid ID. This does not apply to transactions that do not include alcohol or cigarettes.
According to Central Division president Jeff Burt, “Kroger has been testing on-line ordering in select stores since November 2014 and we have received strong praise from customers. That feedback has helped us ensure this is not only convenient and cost-effective for our very busy customers, but manageable at the high customer service levels we expect from our associates. We will proceed carefully with the rollout in this region, including likely expansion to additional stores, and look forward to enhancing the process in response to customer and store associate feedback.”
Burt continued, “Recently we announced a major expansion strategy in the Indianapolis region that included at least $465 million in new, expanded and remodeled stores, as well as a regional training center and more than 3,400 new jobs. We were not prepared to announce our e-commerce launch at that time, but I am now pleased to share that each store with an e-commerce department will include additional capital investments in stores and 30 to 60 new jobs per store that are in addition to the previously announced numbers. The on-line ordering program strengthens our already very significant commitment to Indiana and Illinois communities.”
