SkipTheDishes makes foray into e-grocery market

Canadian food delivery network SkipTheDishes has jumped into the grocery arena.

In the wake of summer pilots, the Winnipeg, Manitoba-based company said it plans to expand its new Skip Express Lane grocery and household products delivery service — with orders reaching customers in 25 minutes or less — across Canada through the opening of 38 new fulfillment centers by mid-2022.

Skip Express Lane stores are now live in Winnipeg; London and downtown Toronto, Ontario; and Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta. SkipTheDishes said the national expansion follows the launch of Skip Express Lane stores in Winnipeg in July and in London in August. The company also aims to bolster its offering of household products as it expands its service footprint.

“We’re thrilled for Skip Express Lane to bring even more value to our customers across Canada, helping Skip to become an indispensable part of the lives of Canadians with an entirely new delivery service,” SkipTheDishes CEO Kevin Edwards said in a statement. “To us, Skip Express Lane is not just a convenient option for Canadians, but it’s another way we are working hard to support local businesses through the pandemic and beyond.”

Compared with the 400 items typically offered through convenience retailers on the Skip network, Skip Express Lanes will feature more than 1,500 items, including snacks, household goods, groceries, fresh produce, baby products, personal care items and everyday essentials “at grocery store prices,” according to SkipTheDishes. Offerings also will include exclusive products from Skip restaurant partners and local businesses. The company added that it also works directly with local vendors in each Skip Express Lane location to offer favorite hometown products.

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Each Skip Express Lane will operate seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. SkipTheDishes said delivery fees start at $1.99, and customers can get free delivery for purchases of more than $25. 

SkipTheDishes noted that consumer demand for convenience and grocery options has soared by 900% year over year. In Winnipeg, over 70% of customers ordering from Skip Express Lane have returned to place another order, the company said. 

“Skip Express Lane fills an important gap in the market. Canadians will now be able to get everyday essentials and grocery items delivered to your door in 25 minutes or less,” stated Howard Migdal, chief operating officer of SkipTheDishes. “Even during peak demand, when we’re processing several orders a minute, orders are packed and out the door in under 10 minutes for delivery.”

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Part of Just Eat Takeaway.com, a global online food delivery marketplace, SkipTheDishes connects millions of customers with more than 47,000 restaurant partners in Canada.