Warehouse launches grocery box delivery service

[ad_1]

The Warehouse launched grocery box deliveries during lockdown.

ROSS GIBLIN/STUFF

The Warehouse launched grocery box deliveries during lockdown.

The Warehouse has begun delivering grocery boxes to households after observing changes in shopping habits during the Covid-19 lockdown.

The service is available in Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, Tauranga and Wellington, with the grocery boxes, which mimic a typical supermarket shop of bread, meat, dairy, veges and pantry staples, costing $65-$130.

It’s not since the mid-2000s that The Warehouse has sought to go head-to-head with the supermarkets, but the earlier attempt to break into fresh groceries was ultimately unsuccessful.

The Warehouse’s Foodbox service, which households can pay for using the buy-now, pay-later Zip service, was introduced during the March-April lockdown, but had now been added to the company’s main online shop.

READ MORE:
* Coronavirus: Trade Me launches fresh food boxes
* Coronavirus: Drive-though option for click-and-collect Warehouse shopping in Covid-19 level three
* Coronavirus: New World launches essentials grocery box delivery service in central Auckland

“We introduced Foodbox during the lockdown on TheMarket.com, responding to customer demand for more home delivery food options,” spokesperson Jordan Schuler.

 “The take-up has been strong during the peak of lockdown so we extended that offer to The Warehouse online store.”

The Warehouse is now promoting grocery boxes through its online store.

SUPPLIED

The Warehouse is now promoting grocery boxes through its online store.

 “Food boxes provide a convenient option for kiwis to buy a week’s worth of fresh groceries without having to go to supermarket or be limited specific recipes or meals in meal kits.

“Covid-19 has added extra pressure to existing online grocery and meal kit services with many reaching capacity limits during the lockdown and this product provided another option for kiwis to access fresh groceries quickly.”

BRADEN FASTIER / STUFF

Simon, and Debbie Lavery deliver groceries for those who can’t get out in Mapua, Tasman during Level 4.

The sourcing, packaging and delivery was handled by Foodbox, a private company Warehouse Group had partnered with.

“Consumers can order a Foodbox up to two days in advance and select a specific date,” Schuler said. “Foodbox works with a number of local couriers to deliver on those specific days.”

The service was launched at a time when there was spare capacity in the fresh fruit and vege sector while restaurants and cafes were closed under level 4 and level 3 lockdown.

“The boxes use fresh seasonal produce from local growers and are assembled by a food service partner that has excess capacity as the restaurant trade has been impacted during Covid-19 which has been a great pivot to provide employment for those affected and avoid potential produce wastage,” Schuler said.

The Warehouse was not alone in expanding into the grocery sector bringing competition to the two big supermarket chains.

On May 1 Trade Me announced it was working with local suppliers to sell fresh grocery boxes including organic meat, fruit and vegetables and even baked goods.

Along with offerings from Eat My Lunch, boxes from Hyper Meat, Paddock to Pantry, Celebration Box, and Clarkes will be available.

Head of Trade Me marketplace Lisa Stewart said selling fresh food boxes was a first for the company and it was hoped more producers would be added

[ad_2]

Source link Google News