DDi - October 2010 - (Page 10)

10 | Newsworthy | Headlining Publix debuts Curbside concept L akeland, Fla.-based Publix Super Markets Inc. recently debuted Publix Curbside, a pilot online grocery ordering and pickup program, in two store locations. The service, launched in Atlanta and Tampa, Fla., allows customers to take a virtual tour of the supermarket on www.publix.com/curbside, select items to purchase, choose the desired Publix location and schedule a specified, 30-minute pickup window. After customers complete their online order, the information is downloaded to a handheld device, and a Publix personal shopper goes to work. When the groceries have been collected, they are stored in numbered bays—including bays for refrigerated and frozen items to maintain product freshness—until the customer arrives. Customers may order as many or as few items as they would like, as there is no minimum order amount. A service fee of $7.99 is applied to each curbside order, but the company is waiving the fee for firsttime users. For those customers who don’t have computer access, orders may be placed over the phone with a personal shopper or faxed directly to the store. All store promotions, coupons and the company’s return policy remain the same for customers who use the curbside service. “As we continue to provide our customers with the service they have grown to expect, we need to provide new and more advanced ways to meet the needs of their growing and changing families,” said Maria Brous, director of media and community relations for Publix. “Publix Curbside is a natural extension of our service commitment, especially for time-starved families.” At the Atlanta Publix, customers drive through the designated overhang, press the call button and wait for a personal shopper to load their groceries. In Tampa, customers pull their vehicle into one of the assigned Curbside parking spaces. Launching test programs in two different markets will afford the supermarket giant an opportunity to evaluate the process to determine if it will roll out Publix Curbside to additional stores. As of press time, the Atlanta Publix receives approximately 85 orders per week—a number that is growing steadily. “We already have repeat Photos: Wendi Van Eldik customers,” said Brenda Reid, Atlanta media and community relations manager for Publix. “And we’re expecting it to pick up around the holidays when people do more entertaining.” — SARAh GoddARd |ÊOc toberÊ2010 www.ddionline.com http://www.publix.com/curbside http://www.ddionline.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of DDi - October 2010

Display & Design Ideas - October 2010
Contents
From the Editor
Newsworthy
Shopper Insights
Quick Tips
Greentailing
Editor’s Choice
Design Snapshot
Design Snapshot
Jets/Giants Pro Shop
Coming to America
DDI 2010 State of the Retail Design Industry
Channel Focus: Menswear
CB2
Right Light
In-Store Technology
Product Spotlight
Calendar
Advertisers
Ownership Statement
Classifieds
Shopping with Paco

DDi - October 2010