Customers shopping at an Ann Arbor-area Meijer could soon do their grocery shopping without ever setting foot in the store. The Grand Rapids-based retailer at 3145 Ann Arbor-Saline Road is considering using the location as a pilot for its “Meijer Curbside” program, which allows customers to place orders for groceries and general merchandise online, then pick up the items within several hours at a drive-thru area.
The Pittsfield Township Planning Commission approved project plans at its June meeting, but Meijer is still in the process of determining which stores will test the service. “What we’re in the process of doing is looking at potential locations to roll out that program,” said Frank Guglielmi, a Meijer spokesman, adding that criteria for site selection is a business strategy that the company can’t share.
The program is already available at some of Meijer’s Grand Rapids locations. Participating customers shop at Meijer.com/curbside and submit their orders. Their selected items are then gathered by Meijer employees who can shop according to special instructions and personal preferences. For example, if someone wanted bananas that were greener or riper, they could specify what they wanted.
After placing the order, customers choose a pick-up time, which must be between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily. Orders with under 12 items can usually be picked up within an hour while orders of 13 items and more usually require around three hours. MORE