Meijer, Shipt Launch Grocery Deliveries in Detroit Area

Meijer and Shipt are rolling out a home grocery delivery service in Detroit and southeastern Michigan. As of Sept. 15, shoppers will be able to use Shipt’s smartphone app to shop for 55,000 items from one of 25 Detroit-area Meijer stores providing the service and select a one-hour delivery window, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The introduction is part of an existing agreement between the retailer and Shipt, which included a successful pilot at two stores in Meijer's home turf of Grand Rapids, Mich., according to a published report.

“This is yet one more option to make shopping at Meijer easier for our customers,” noted Michael Ross, the grocer’s VP of digital shopping and customer marketing. “We believe our relationship with Shipt will provide many of our customers an all-encompassing service that will save them time and add a new convenience when shopping at Meijer.”

Shipt’s service is membership-based, with either annual or monthly options. For $99 annually, members receive unlimited free grocery deliveries on all orders above $35, and those who join before the Sept. 15 launch date will also get $25 off their first delivery. Members can shop a large assortment of Meijer groceries and everyday items, noting any preferences, and then choose a delivery window and pay. A Shipt shopper will handpick the items and deliver them in as little as an hour.

Ahead of the launch, Shipt will assemble a network of hundreds of shoppers and seek opportunities to aid local community organizations.

“The Meijer commitment to quality food, excellent customer service and dedication to the communities they serve is what makes them an ideal partner,” said Bill Smith, founder and CEO of Birmingham, Ala.-based Shipt, which delivers in 26 cities across the country. “Through our relationship with Meijer, we will make life easier for busy individuals and families, and also create jobs in the Detroit area.”

Because most Meijer stores are open 24 hours a day, Shipt deliveries will be available at some of the chain’s locations 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the exception of some holidays, once the service launches in the Detroit area.

The grocer also recently expanded its Meijer Curbside click-and-collect service in the region.

Meijer operates 230 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin.