Online Grocer SimonDelivers Launches Mobile Phone Shopping Service
NEW HOPE, Minn. -- Regional online grocer SimonDelivers, Inc. today launched a new service that gives its customers the ability to place orders from virtually anywhere, using their wireless mobile devices.
"It's all about extending convenience to our customers," Steven Lauder, v.p. customer relations, told Progressive Grocer. "People use us to make their lives easier. Now they will no longer be tied to their computers -- they can place orders anytime, anywhere."
Called SimonDelivers Mobile 1.0, the new service -- developed in-house -- is available to all existing customers through any mobile device that has a Web browser, including a BlackBerry, which the company is offering free to active customers. SimonDelivers Mobile 1.0 allows customers to view grocery lists, click on the items they want, and check out.
"Mobile computing is the next level of online and e-commerce because it frees people from their computers," said Christopher Brown, c.e.o. of SimonDelivers. "This revolutionary new Web experience allows people to use SimonDelivers from wherever life takes them. There are a lot of times during the day when our customers may have a few minutes to shop but don't have a computer available -- such as when they are sitting in a stadium or commuting in a carpool. Now they can shop for groceries from virtually anywhere. Life just got a little more convenient."
To bring this platform into the hands of more consumers, SimonDelivers is teaming up with Plymouth, Minn.-based Select Communications and BlackBerry in a special promotion to encourage participation. Active SimonDelivers customers can receive a free BlackBerry 7105T (after a $49.99 mail-in rebate) and a new two-year T-Mobile service agreement, with pricing starting as low as $19.99 per month for data and $39.99 per month for voice.
As part of this promotion, Select Communications will work with each SimonDelivers customer one-on-one, without obligation, to determine how best to meet their communications needs. SimonDelivers is also offering $50 in free groceries through $10 store credits for each of the first five orders placed using SimonDelivers Mobile 1.0.
"We are passionate about making grocery shopping convenient, simple, pertinent, and quick," noted SimonDelivers c.t.o. Kelly Westman. "Technology is rapidly converging to help us perfect this goal. Mobile devices, in particular, are about convenience, and SimonDelivers Mobile 1.0 is a strategic first step in developing alternate and easier ways for consumers to shop with us."
SimonDelivers serves the seven-county metropolitan area of Minneapolis and St. Paul from distribution centers in New Hope and Inver Grove Heights. It offers convenient next-day delivery six days a week to most locations, including residential households, apartments, businesses, and condominiums. Its selections include thousands of grocery items, fresh meat and produce, natural and organic items, fresh deli and seafood, Simon's Liquor Store, and Simon's Diner -- a full line of prepared meals, sides, and desserts.
--Joseph Tarnowski
"It's all about extending convenience to our customers," Steven Lauder, v.p. customer relations, told Progressive Grocer. "People use us to make their lives easier. Now they will no longer be tied to their computers -- they can place orders anytime, anywhere."
Called SimonDelivers Mobile 1.0, the new service -- developed in-house -- is available to all existing customers through any mobile device that has a Web browser, including a BlackBerry, which the company is offering free to active customers. SimonDelivers Mobile 1.0 allows customers to view grocery lists, click on the items they want, and check out.
"Mobile computing is the next level of online and e-commerce because it frees people from their computers," said Christopher Brown, c.e.o. of SimonDelivers. "This revolutionary new Web experience allows people to use SimonDelivers from wherever life takes them. There are a lot of times during the day when our customers may have a few minutes to shop but don't have a computer available -- such as when they are sitting in a stadium or commuting in a carpool. Now they can shop for groceries from virtually anywhere. Life just got a little more convenient."
To bring this platform into the hands of more consumers, SimonDelivers is teaming up with Plymouth, Minn.-based Select Communications and BlackBerry in a special promotion to encourage participation. Active SimonDelivers customers can receive a free BlackBerry 7105T (after a $49.99 mail-in rebate) and a new two-year T-Mobile service agreement, with pricing starting as low as $19.99 per month for data and $39.99 per month for voice.
As part of this promotion, Select Communications will work with each SimonDelivers customer one-on-one, without obligation, to determine how best to meet their communications needs. SimonDelivers is also offering $50 in free groceries through $10 store credits for each of the first five orders placed using SimonDelivers Mobile 1.0.
"We are passionate about making grocery shopping convenient, simple, pertinent, and quick," noted SimonDelivers c.t.o. Kelly Westman. "Technology is rapidly converging to help us perfect this goal. Mobile devices, in particular, are about convenience, and SimonDelivers Mobile 1.0 is a strategic first step in developing alternate and easier ways for consumers to shop with us."
SimonDelivers serves the seven-county metropolitan area of Minneapolis and St. Paul from distribution centers in New Hope and Inver Grove Heights. It offers convenient next-day delivery six days a week to most locations, including residential households, apartments, businesses, and condominiums. Its selections include thousands of grocery items, fresh meat and produce, natural and organic items, fresh deli and seafood, Simon's Liquor Store, and Simon's Diner -- a full line of prepared meals, sides, and desserts.
--Joseph Tarnowski