Targeting curbside deliveries
Target’s pilot testing of its “Drive Up” curbside delivery service in Minnesota appears to have moved up a gear. Post&Parcel first got wind of the “Drive Up” test programme back in July. But at that stage, local sources said that the service was only being tested by Target employees and available at just a handful of stores. Now, however, local media reports indicate that the pilot has extended to 50 stores across Minnesota and is being offering to customers.
Shoppers buy their goods using the Target app; they let the store know (via the app) when they are on their way; and then they park in the designated zones so the store staff can deliver their shopping to their cars.
According to reports, the Drive Up service will feature around 200,000 items, including home furnishings, toys and nonperishable food. However, fresh groceries are reportedly not on the list at present.
Target first tested this kind of service in 2014/15, using the San Francisco-based specialist Curbside, at stores in New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. That trial ended in 2016 – but now the concept has risen Phoenix-like with Drive Up.
Walmart’s continuing roll-out of a curbside side service may have played a part in prompting Target to launch Drive Up.
The two US retailers seem to be spurring each other on to develop more online shopping and delivery options.
Target recently announced that it was buying Grand Junction, a transportation-focused technology which provides software that manages retailers’ home delivery solutions. Target has already been working with Grand Junction on a same-day delivery pilot in New York.
At the start of this week, Walmart revealed that it too will also be focusing on same-day deliveries in New York – following its acquisition of the delivery company Parcel.
