Albertsons adds delivery with Uber
Uber’s food delivery service received its largest grocery expansion, teaming with Albertsons and its family of brands to reach more than 1,200 stores and grow the delivery range from 100 cities to 400 across the country.
Markets that get the service include San Franciscio, New York, Miami, Dallas, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. The Albertsons deal enhances its grocery delivery, joining retailers such as Southeastern Grocers and New York’s Red Apple Group. Last month, it partnered with Walgreens to deliver essential nonfood items from 7,800 locations nationwide, with an eye on growing beyond delivery of wellness, OTC or household essentials.
The Albertsons partnership, including banners Albertsons, Safeway, Jewel-Osco, ACME, Tom Thumb, Randalls and more, will be available to consumers within the Uber and Uber Eats apps. On all grocery orders over $30, Uber Pass and Eats Pass customers will get free delivery.
“This past year has been one of incredible growth for grocery delivery,” said Raj Beri, Uber’s global head of grocery and new verticals, Uber. “Today nearly 3 million consumers order groceries and other essentials each month through Uber and we’re just getting started. By adding thousands of beloved grocers to our selection this year, we are fast-tracking our efforts to help Americans get everything they need from their favorite supermarket, delivered to their doorsteps.”
Uber, based in San Francisco, began in 2010, and rolled out the grocery component in July 2020. The company said it’s uniquely poised to meet a growing desire for grocery delivery from stores and merchants within hours or less than an hour.
Albertsons has been active in testing out new ways for shoppers to get their groceries. Less than a month ago, the retailer teamed with DoorDash to deliver groceries, offering more than 40,000 grocery items, including its private brand assortment. The retailer also tested a remote-controlled delivery cart from Tortoise at a Safeway store. The cart delivers last mile groceries, holding as much as 120 lbs.
It’s also tested an automated, robotically-powered, contactless grocery pickup kiosk via Cleveron and has been working with Google to explore AI and more improved digital ways of shopping.