Schnucks brings ‘order ahead’ to the party

Schnuck Markets has extended its “order ahead” functionality to party planning.

On Wednesday, St. Louis-based Schnucks said 59 stores in three states now enable customers to order a range of party-oriented foods in advance through the Schnucks Rewards app and Schnucks website and pick them up at a designated time. Foods available for party planning order-ahead include party platters, sandwiches, sides, soups, salads, appetizers, entrees, fried chicken, seafood and selected bakery items. There’s also a special page grouping items for football fans.

“Customers at more than half our locations can now order what they want, when they want, for their parties and family gatherings simply by using their smartphones, tablets and computers,” Chace MacMullan, senior director of digital experience at Schnucks, said in a statement. “To save customers time and hassle, orders are paid for in advance and ready for pickup at the deli counter so there is no need for customers to wait in line at the checkout.”

On Schnucks' Party Planning web page, customers can order a range of foods for special occasions and gatherings in advance for pickup at participating stores.

To order party items in advance via the Schnucks website, customers visit the Party Planning section and enter their ZIP code to find a participating Schnucks store nearby. To place a party order from the app, shoppers set their “home store” to one of the party planning order-ahead locations and then tap the “shop” option. The retailer said party planning orders should be placed at least 72 hours before the desired pickup time.

Related:Schnuck Markets expands Deli Order Ahead

Schnucks locations offering party order-ahead include 35 stores in Missouri, 19 stores in Illinois and five stores in Indiana. In support of the new capability, Schnucks is offering first-time party planning order-ahead customers an extra 250 rewards points.

Party planning has become the latest category to receive order-ahead functionality since Schnucks first launched the service in April 2019 at 18 stores in Missouri, Indiana and Illinois. Just over a week ago, the grocer expanded its Deli Order Ahead program with the addition of touchscreen kiosks at another 30 stores. Sixty-seven stores now have order-ahead stations in their deli departments. Customers also can access Deli Order Ahead through the rewards app.

Last April, Schnucks brought order-ahead capability to the bakery, allowing shoppers to order custom cakes via its website and rewards app for pickup in the bakery department. At launch, the service was available at 95 stores. The grocer also offers order-ahead services in its prepared foods and floral departments.

Overall, Schnucks operates 111 supermarkets in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.

Related:Schnuck Markets brings order-ahead online service to bakery