Sponsored By

The Fresh Market raises the bar for curbside pickup

‘Friendliest Curbside Experience’ program rolls out to all stores

Russell Redman

January 12, 2021

2 Min Read
The_Fresh_Market-Charlotte_NC.jpg
Since the launch of "The Friendliest Curbside Experience in America," the number of curbside orders has surged, with an average customer rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, The Fresh Market said.The Fresh Market

The Fresh Market has upped the service level for click-and-collect via a program dubbed “The Friendliest Curbside Experience in America.”

The Greensboro, N.C.-based specialty grocer said Tuesday that the initiative offers curbside pickup customers designated personal shoppers, orders that are double-checked by managers and verified with their signature, and wait times of less than five minutes for groceries to be brought to their vehicle.

All items in the order are 100% satisfaction guaranteed, and The Fresh Market serves up “wow moments” to surprise curbside customers, such as having costumed Santas bring out their orders during the Christmas shopping season.

The_Fresh_Market_personal_shopper-Friendliest_Curbside.jpg

The Fresh Market's enhanced service offers curbside pickup customers designated personal shoppers, with orders that are double-checked and verified by managers. 

 

The Fresh Market said it rolled out the Friendliest Curbside Experience in America program to all of its 159 stores in 22 states as of Dec. 12. Since then, the number of curbside orders has “grown significantly,” with an average guest rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, according to the retailer. Wait times have decreased further, and order fill rates have “substantially improved,” the chain said.

“We’re committed to creating and curating the very best and most delicious food for our guests every day,” Brian Johnson, senior vice president of operations at The Fresh Market, said in a statement. “Along with the 100% satisfaction guarantee on every item, we have added special touches, such as bringing you a bottle of water on a hot day, or a banana or clementine for your children. Our personal shoppers are in constant contact with you while fulfilling your order and also write personalized thank you notes to our guests with recipe suggestions, products they think you’d like to try next time, along with other thoughtful touches.”

Related:The Fresh Market serves up fine dining for dinner

Customers can access curbside pickup service by ordering groceries on The Fresh Market website or mobile app, which comes in iOS and Android versions. Through April 30, new curbside users can enter the code “10OFF60” at checkout to get $10 off their online purchase of $60 or more. 

The Friendliest Curbside Experience in America program comes nearly a year after The Fresh Market launched a new online store in tandem with a new mobile app. The enhanced online presence arose from The Fresh Market’s partnership with Instacart, through which the retailer offers both online grocery delivery and pickup. The Fresh Market and San Francisco-based Instacart began piloting same-day delivery in 2018 and launched the service chainwide in May 2019.

Related:The Fresh Market goes live with new online store

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

Stay up-to-date on the latest food retail news and trends
Subscribe to free eNewsletters from Supermarket News

You May Also Like