Smart & Final expands grocery delivery with Uber

Smart & Final, the West Coast grocery warehouse chain, on Tuesday kicked off its new partnership with Uber Technologies to expand the retailer’s on-demand and scheduled grocery delivery to customers through Uber and Uber Eats.

Beginning Tuesday, 173 Smart & Final stores across Arizona, California and Nevada are available to shop through Uber and Uber Eats, with plans to onboard all of Smart & Final’s 254 locations. In addition, Smart & Final becomes the first major U.S. grocery partner to offer alcohol delivery to customers through Uber Eats. Alcohol is now available for delivery in California with plans to expand the offering to Arizona and Nevada later this year. 

“Consumers are increasingly looking for easy and convenient ways to shop, and this new partnership with Uber allows Smart & Final to bring our more than 3,000 club store items, farm-fresh produce, organic products and even alcohol to new and existing shoppers via a convenient on-demand experience,” said Joe VanDette, group vice president – marketing & digital. “Smart & Final is committed to providing our customers, whether they be in-store or at home, the opportunity to save time and money without a membership fee.”

Since launching in July 2020, Uber has seen consistent growth in the U.S. for its grocery category. The San Francisco-based tech company partnered with Southeastern Grocers, operator of Winn-Dixie and Fresco y Más stores, in September 2020, and last summer expanded its home delivery reach with the addition of 1,200 Albertsons Cos. stores, began a pilot program with Costco in Texas, and expanded on-demand delivery to pharmacy chains Walgreens and Rite Aid.

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Since launching in July 2020, Uber has seen consistent growth in the U.S. for its grocery category.

“Grocery continues to be a rapid area of growth for us this year with millions of consumers ordering groceries and other essentials through Uber each month,” said Oskar Hjertonsson, head of grocery at Uber. “By partnering with grocers like Smart & Final, we’re able to meet our customers’ demands for more high-quality products, including alcohol, at value prices delivered seamlessly, right to their door.” 

Commerce, Calif.-based Smart & Final operates 254 stores under the Smart & Final Extra! (198 locations) and Smart & Final (56 locations) banners in California, Arizona and Nevada. The warehouse grocer was acquired by Bodega Latina Corp., a subsidiary of Mexican retailer Grupo Comercial Chedraui, in May 2021.