Schnucks Online With Digital Photo Processing

WENDY TOTH

ST. LOUIS — Schnuck Markets has added an online digital photo processing service to its website.

The Schnucks Online Imaging Center, which went live late last month, is the result of a partnership between the supermarket, LifePics, Boulder, Colo., and Qualex, a subsidiary of Kodak, Durham, N.C.

“Schnucks offers digital processing for the convenience of customers who want the option of picking up their photos or having them sent directly to their homes,” said Denis Oldani, Schnucks' director of photo services. “Customers may also choose from dozens of gift items. The process is easy to use and offers unlimited free storage of images at original resolution.”

LifePix provides the software and the Web page Schnucks' customers use for uploading and ordering prints. “The site has Schnucks' name and looks like Schnucks' website but we run it on our computers and route the orders,” said Ken McDonald, spokesman for LifePics.

For processing, Schnucks will continue its relationship with Kodak, which provides printing for the grocer's traditional photo offerings, McDonald said.

LifePics charges the retailer small set-up fees, McDonald said. “The core of our model is that we don't charge a lot to get started. We are in it for a percentage of the orders, like a credit card transaction fee.”