Fresh Thyme Farmers Market taps Shipt for grocery delivery

Specialty grocer Fresh Thyme Farmers Market has launched same-day online grocery delivery via Shipt in 30 metropolitan markets across the Midwest.

Target Corp.-owned Shipt said the rollout will enable more than 10 million households in the region to order groceries online from Fresh Thyme and have their items delivered to their doorsteps that day.

Michigan residents in the Detroit, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Lansing metro areas also will have access to same-day delivery of beer and wine from Fresh Thyme. Customers must be at least age 21 to order or accept alcohol deliveries and are required to present identification upon delivery.

“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Shipt,” Ramesh Reddy, chief information officer for Fresh Thyme. “Their delivery solution provides a convenience, one that our customers are looking for in their shopping experience.”

Shipt same-day delivery orders from Fresh Thyme are picked and delivered by Shipt personal shoppers.

Downers Grove, Ill.-based Fresh Thyme has 74 stores across 11 states, mainly in the upper Midwest. The grocer focuses on providing fresh, natural and organic products in a farmer’s market-style shopping experience. It also caters to customers following vegan, paleo, keto, vegetarian or wheat- and gluten-free diets.

“Fresh Thyme Farmers Market is a staple for healthy, convenient and budget-friendly living,” according to Joe Manning, chief business officer of Birmingham, Ala.-based Shipt. “Partnering with Fresh Thyme Farmers Market gives us the opportunity to provide an additional layer of ease by bringing fresh and healthy goods to members across the Midwest.”

Related:Fresh Thyme Farmers Market goes chainwide with no-antibiotics pork

To place orders through Shipt, Fresh Thyme shop for groceries at the Shipt.com online marketplace or via the Shipt mobile app. Orders are picked, packed and delivered by Shipt personal shoppers.

In support of the service launch, Fresh Thyme customers who enroll for Shipt delivery between by July 11 can get an annual membership for $49, a $50 savings from the regular $99 fee. Customers, too, now have the option to pay per delivery with a one-time fee. A Shipt Pass single delivery costs $10, and users can purchase multiple Shipt Passes at shipt.com.

Shipt marks Fresh Thymes second same-day online delivery partner. The chain launched on-demand delivery service with San Francisco-based Instacart in March 2018.