Hy-Vee Experiments With Different Pickup Concepts

Hy-Vee is testing out different methods of grocery pickup with a new drive-thru kiosk slated for its New Hope, Minn., store. 

The 960-square-foot, free-standing kiosk will offer three drive-thru lanes in the parking lot of the store, according to discussions at a New Hope City Council meeting. Its design will mirror the main supermarket. 

Groceries will be delivered directly to the kiosk from a warehouse, which is expected to reduce traffic from personal shoppers in the store. 

Additionally, Hy-Vee has been using self-service lockers in its Fast & Fresh small formats. The retailer operates two Fast & Fresh stores in Davenport and Altoona, Iowa. 

Photograph courtesy of New Hope City Council meeting

The secure lockers allow customers to come grab their items at a time that is convenient for them. 

The pickup programs are operated through the retailer’s Aisles Online e-commerce program, which is compatible with Hy-Vee’s Fuel Saver Perks loyalty program and includes features such as shopping lists and shoppable recipes. 

Pickup is free with a minimum of a $30 purchase. The prices of online orders “may not reflect” in-store prices, according to Aisles Online’s terms and conditions.

Hy-Vee also recently became the first U.S. retailer to partner with e-commerce-boosting platform Citrus, which aims to create new revenue streams by allowing suppliers to compete in a live auction for premium positions on a retailer’s e-commerce pages and offers a self-service sponsored product and display platform in which suppliers can promote their products.