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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowKroger launched an online grocery-ordering program Monday at its Carmel store on Rangeline Road that it hopes to roll out across the area by the end of August.
The program lets customers place orders at www.kroger.com/onlineshopping and pick them up later during a designated time frame.
Kroger is among several grocery stores that are testing or using similar systems in various markets. The Cincinnati-based company has been testing the program since November 2014 and has “received strong praise from customers,” according to Central Division President Jeff Burt.
After the store receives the order, an employee gathers everything on the list and stores it in a temperature-appropriate area until the items are collected. A $4.95 fee is charged per order, but Kroger is waiving the cost for a customer’s first three orders. Payment is made at pickup.
The online shopping program could create as many as 30 to 60 jobs at each store that offers it, depending on the response from customers, the company said.
In April, Kroger announced it would invest at least $465 million in the Indianapolis region with new stores, expansions and remodels, creating up to 3,400 jobs.
The Carmel store recently reopened after a $10.8 million renovation.
Walmart Stores Inc. is testing a similar online grocery-ordering service in several markets and could expand the program if it proves successful. Target already offers online ordering and pickup for non-perishable groceries.
Meijer offers online grocery ordering in stores in Michigan and Ohio but hasn't offered the service in Indiana. Marsh Supermarkets offers online ordering on bigger-ticket items such as deli trays and cakes.
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