Photo: Kroger
Kroger’s test of free pickup in most markets is a hit with customers, but the grocer is still analyzing what the long-term benefits might be before making it a regular offering.
New customers are using pickup that haven’t before, while existing pickup users are using the service with greater frequency.
“We're still early in the analysis,” said Rodney McMullen, chairman and CEO, last week on Kroger’s third quarter conference call. “The customer adoption has been stronger — a little bit stronger — than what we were expecting. But we're still at a point where we don't need to decide that yet in terms of whether we extend it or not.”
The free pickup promotion began in early November and is running through Jan. 1. Kroger’s pickup program typically charges $4.95 for regular orders and $7.99 for expedited ones in most markets.
Gary Millerchip, SVP and CFO, said Kroger won’t be looking at individual transactions in deciding whether to extend the program but whether the program changes the level of engagement and drives long-term loyalty. Kroger will then weigh how free pickup adds value for the consumer versus price investments, fuel discounts and other aspects of the in-store experience.
“It's really going to be a longer period of time before we could really evaluate the way in which it impacts the model with the customer,” said Mr. Millerchip.
During the quarter, Kroger expanded pickup to 1,915 locations and delivery from 2,326 locations — covering more than 96 percent of households in its market areas.
Digital platforms are “where customers are increasingly going to meet many of their needs,” Mr. McMullen said on the call.
Among other grocers, curbside pickup costs $4.95 at H-E-B, $5.95 at ShopRite and is free at Publix. Safeway’s Drive Up & Go service is free for orders of $150 or more and $3 for those under $150. Whole Foods offers free pickup for Amazon Prime members in an hour on orders of at least $35. Walmart and Target both offer free pickup, but exclude perishables.