Harris Teeter rolls out on-demand delivery to metro D.C.

Just over three months after launching in Maryland, Harris Teeter Delivery on-demand grocery delivery has kicked off in metropolitan Washington, D.C.

Matthews, North Carolina-based Harris Teeter said Wednesday that its delivery service, part of parent company Kroger’s Ocado-automated delivery network, offers more than 30,000 items, including fresh produce, meats and seafood, plus exclusive items from Harris Teeter brands like Boar’s Head fresh-cut deli meat.

The delivery drivers are uniformed Harris Teeter associates, and orders are delivered in temperature-controlled, red Harris Teeter Delivery trucks. The Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern supermarket chain noted that the trucks use technology to ensure drivers are on the fastest route, minimizing driving time and ensure groceries arrive faster. Frozen items are packed in dry ice until they reach the customer. 

“Our focus on never breaking the cold chain ensures delivery matches the experience of shopping in person,” Bill Rhyne, senior director of operations support for Harris Teeter, said in a statement. “With our state-of-the-art delivery trucks, every item remains at the proper temperature throughout the delivery. Your ice cream always arrives frozen.” 

Orders are picked, assorted and loaded onto temperature-controlled delivery vans—bearing the chain’s banner—and are delivered directly to customers by Harris Teeter associates. / Photo courtesy of Harris Teeter

Related:Harris Teeter Delivery gets under way in Maryland

Delivery orders can be placed through the Harris Teeter website and mobile app. Customers earn the same VIC and Fuel Points shopping online as in-store, the retailer said. In support of the delivery service launch, Harris Teeter is offering 30 days of free delivery, 2X fuel points and exclusive savings to shoppers who sign up for a free trial of membership in HT Plus, the grocer’s customer benefits program.

Harris Teeter had begun on-demand grocery delivery in Baltimore and greater Maryland through Kroger’s fulfillment network in early June.

Kroger’s Ocado-automated customer fulfillment center (CFC) in Frederick, Maryland, processes the Harris Teeter Delivery orders. The 350,000-square-foot facility, situated at 7106 Geoffrey Way in Frederick, became operational earlier this year and processes online grocery orders for shoppers in Maryland, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia.

In May 2018, Kroger unveiled an exclusive U.S. partnership with U.K.-based online grocery specialist Ocado Group to identify sites for about 20 automated CFCs, plus supporting “spoke” facilities, over the ensuing three years. The high-tech CFCs use Ocado’s vertical integration, machine learning and robotics to fill e-grocery delivery orders and extend Kroger’s reach to a larger geographic footprint, including areas where it doesn’t operate physical stores.