Michigan will once again be the testing ground for a new service from a major retailer. Subscribers to Meijer’s grocery delivery service will be able to add alcohol to their purchases and have it delivered starting July 11.
Meijer Vice President of Digital Shopping, Art Sebastian, says in order to stay relevant in the era of online shopping, retailers have to do more than offer low prices to customers.
“In this day and age, we’re busy, we’re time-starved. We’re looking for ways to save time,” Sebastian said. “I’ve said in the past that convenience is the new price.”
While only customers in Michigan will be able to have beer, wine and spirits delivered for now, Sebastian says the goal is to eventually offer booze as a delivery-option to all Meijer customers.
“We’ve received an incredible amount of feedback from customers wanting to take advantage of our large selection of craft beers and wine,” Sebastian said. “We think this enhances the level of convenience our home delivery customers in Michigan can enjoy and allows them to take more advantage of what our stores have to offer.”
Michigan was also the starting point for Meijer’s grocery delivery service, a partnership with the company Shipt. The delivery service was first unveiled in southeast Michigan and is now available to Meijer customers in certain regions of Michigan and the Midwest. Customers must purchase a Shipt membership to participate. Memberships cost $99 annually or $14 monthly.
While the online retail giant Amazon reportedly called its recent acquisition of Whole Foods a “strategic acquisition,” it is uncertain what the fallout could be for competitors if Amazon moves into selling groceries.
“We read the news like everyone else does,” Sebastian said. “While you have to stay up-to-speed on everything happening around you, what we focus on is delivering an experience our customers are delighted with.”
