I WATCH 2000-06-26

Peapod, Chicago, last week began accepting orders and making deliveries from Stop & Shop "fast-pick" centers in the Connecticut towns of Norwalk and New Canaan. The distribution centers, built in 8,000-square-foot mezzanine storage spaces at Super Stop & Shop stores, are the first to be rolled out as part of Peapod's agreement with Ahold. The Dutch retailer, parent of Quincy, Mass.-based Stop & Shop, bought a 51% stake in Peapod in April. Ahold said it has plans to expand the "Peapod by Stop & Shop" service to stores throughout southern Connecticut by early next month.