H-E-B upgrades mobile shopping app, earns kudos from Apple

San Antonio-based H-E-B said yesterday the upgraded My H-E-B app brings dozens of new and improved features that make shopping simpler for customers and serve up more ways to save. The Texas grocer noted that shoppers now can place orders for H-E-B Curbside pickup or Home Delivery, “clip” and redeem digital coupons, and browse stores and find products via an enhanced search function all in one app. 

“The new My H-E-B mobile app is a perfect example of how we are investing in new technologies to enhance our digital services and establish H-E-B as a digital retail leader,” Chief Digital Officer Jag Bath said in a statement. “We continue to grow our talented H-E-B Digital team in Austin and at our company headquarters in San Antonio to deliver on this investment and provide the best possible digital experience to our customers and partners.”

Through the free app, available for download in iOS and Android versions, customers can tap to browse in-store or begin an H-E-B Curbside or Home Delivery order, without having to open a web browser, H-E-B said. From the home screen, shopping can be done by browsing departments, scanning product bar codes or selecting items from curated collections. Users also can reorder prior orders or shop past purchases, as well as track order progress.

Related:H-E-B plans $200 million expansion in South Austin

My H-E-B users also will find an easier experience in finding, clipping and redeeming coupons, according to H-E-B. For example, customers can add items needed to meet a coupon offer, and at checkout the app will highlight any missed coupons or related items required for maximum savings. On the convenience side, in-store shoppers can scan one barcode at checkout to redeem all clipped coupons.

H-E-B said the new app brings improved search and location functionality, including faster and better results whether shopping in-store or online. Customers in stores can view product availability plus find where items are located throughout stores.

“This is just the beginning of how we’re looking to redefine how our customers shop with us. Our goal is to create an easier, more enjoyable shopping experience,” commented Mike Georgoff, chief product officer for H-E-B Digital. “We will continue to enhance our digital services to complement our brick-and-mortar stores, giving customers more convenient ways to shop.”

In announcing the new app, H-E-B said it has been working with IT leaders such as Apple and Salesforce as it looks to step up mobile app use for both customers and employees throughout its operation. Last month, Apple CEO Tim Cook said at Salesforce’s Dreamforce conference that H-E-B is “incredibly innovative” and “leading the charge” in the use of mobile apps to transform its business, H-E-B reported.

Related:H-E-B’s Favor expands delivery drivers’ vehicle coverage

The mobile app push reflects H-E-B’s efforts to integrate more innovative technology-based services into its digital offerings to increase convenience, trim costs, streamline operational efficiencies and create jobs. Along with the acquisition of delivery specialist Favor, H-E-B continues to expand its digital offerings such as H-E-B Home Delivery and H-E-B Curbside, which are slated to become available at more than 200 locations across Texas by the end of this year. The company also is boosting its investment in H-E-B Digital and Favor, which are hiring across all areas of expertise, including product management, product design and software engineering.