Kroger Delivery expands to the Detroit metro area

As part of the geographic expansion for the Cincinnati-based grocer, Kroger Delivery will now reach customers in the greater Detroit area, Kroger said this week.

Powered by the Ocado Group, the 135,000-square-foot Customer Fulfillment Center (CFC) will be on Wahrman Rd. in Romulus, Michigan, extending the network’s reach up to 90 miles from the site.

"Kroger has served customers in the state of Michigan for more than a century and we are thrilled to bring Kroger delivery to greater Detroit," said Bill Bennett, Kroger VP of e-commerce, in a statement.

The facility will employ more than 700 associates as the company continues to expand its services throughout southeast Michigan, Kroger said.

Local shoppers in the area will also have access to Kroger's loyalty membership program Boost, which launched nationwide earlier this year. The tiered program gives customers the choice of two annual membership levels at $59 or $99 and provides customers unlimited free grocery delivery on orders of $35 or more, the grocer said. 

“Wayne County is proud to be a leader in defining the future of grocery shopping," said Warren C. Evans, Wayne County executive, in a statement. "The Kroger Fulfillment Center, the first in Michigan, will be a tremendous service for our residents to help them manage their busy lives."

In July, Kroger opened a 350,000-square-foot fulfillment center in Dallas. The latest CFC joins six others around the country. More than a half dozen of the facilities are planned in other cities as the retailer seeks to expand its omnichannel presence. 

Kroger and Albertsons on Friday announced a $24.6 billion merger agreement. The proposed merger will be the topic of a senate antitrust hearing next month.