Rouses Markets goes with its own curbside pickup solution

Gulf Coast grocer Rouses Markets is putting its brand up front with the adoption of a curbside pickup solution from grocery e-commerce specialist eGrowcery.

Thibodaux, La.-based Rouses said Tuesday that the white-label eGrowcery platform enables customers to shop for fresh food and other groceries, place an order and select a pickup time through a Rouses-branded mobile app or the Rouses Markets website. The Rouses Market Shopping App is available for free download in iOS and Android versions.

Rouses noted that the eGrowcery solution allows the supermarket chain to provide its “own” curbside pickup service. Currently, the grocer offers same-day online grocery pickup and delivery via Instacart and same-day delivery through Target Corp.'s Shipt.

Through the eGrowcery-powered curbside service, Rouses personal shoppers pick, pack and load online orders into customers' vehicles.

With the eGrowcery-powered service, curbside customers pay no pickup fee for online orders of more than $35, and grocery pricing is the same as in stores, Rouses reported. Orders are picked, packed and loaded into customers’ vehicles by Rouses personal shoppers.
 
Overall, Rouses Markets operates 66 supermarkets in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

“We continue to invest in new partnerships and technologies like eGrowcery to give our customers the very best shopping experience, both in store or online,” Donny Rouse, CEO of Rouses Markets, said in a statement. “With eGrowcery, our own team members — the people who know our stores and selection better than anyone else — hand-select every product ordered for curbside pickup. It’s like having your favorite Rouses team member as your own personal shopper.”

Related:Rouses Markets names Stacy Wiggins regional vice president of operations

Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based eGrowcery said its software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform offers grocers an end-to-end omnichannel solution — including a user-friendly virtual storefront and integration with point-of-sale and other back-office systems — that they can personalize with their own brand and to their shopper experience. According to the company, its solution “puts control and data ownership back in the hands of the retailer,” 
whereas third-party online grocery marketplaces and apps own the shopper data and allow for products and promotions from competitors.

“It’s always great when we can work with a quality brand like Rouses Markets. It’s even better watching them bring their years of retail expertise to the table,” commented Patrick Hughes, CEO of eGrowcery. “We are ecstatic to do our part by empowering their personal shoppers with our technology, ensuring the highest quality of product selection in the process, all while helping them become more connected to their shoppers.”

Related:Rouses Markets to pilot drone delivery of groceries