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United Supermarkets takes aim at ‘porch pirates’

As holidays approach, Texas grocer to accept FedEx packages for pickup at select stores

Russell Redman

December 7, 2018

2 Min Read
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This holiday season, United Supermarkets is helping customers in Lubbock, Texas, thwart so-called “porch pirates,” the thieves who snatch deliveries from people’s doorsteps.

The grocery chain, part of Albertsons Cos., is allowing residents in Lubbock and surrounding communities to ship Federal Express packages directly to one of its stores — under the United, Market Street and Amigos banners — for pickup instead of to their homes.

United said the program is now available at 15 Lubbock-area stores, including 11 United locations in Lubbock, Brownfield, Lamesa, Levelland, Littlefield, Plainview, Post and Slaton; two Market Street stores in Lubbock; and two Amigos locations in Lubbock and Plainview.

To pick up a FedEx package from one of the stores, customers present their name and identification at the guest services desk. The package is then scanned with an official FedEx handheld scanner, to update tracking information, and the customer signs to confirm his or her receipt of the delivery. Packages remaining at the close of business will be scanned to remain in inventory for pickup at a later time, United said.

“With the popularity of online shopping, and porch piracy on the rise, people are looking for a safe alternative to the front door for their valuable deliveries,” Chris James, chief operations officer for The United Family stores, said in a statement. “As the holiday purchases begin to arrive, we want our new service to give United shoppers convenience and little peace of mind.”

United noted that it worked with FedEx on official delivery protocols to ensure package security and tracking. Each day, a trained team member will receive all FedEx packages and place them in a secure holding area behind the guest services counter. No other FedEx services, such as shipping or labels, will be available.

The United Family, based in Lubbock, operates 92 stores in north and west Texas and in New Mexico under the United Supermarkets, Market Street, Amigos, United Express and Albertsons Market banners.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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