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Greer’s Markets eyes drone grocery delivery

Testing to kick off this month in partnership with Deuce Drone

Russell Redman

November 5, 2021

2 Min Read
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Deuce Drone said flights to finalize the drones’ autonomous flight and package handling systems will get under way in November at the Greer's Market store on St. Louis Street in Mobile, Ala.Greer's Markets

Southern grocer Greer’s Markets plans to offer customers drone delivery service via a technology development partnership with Deuce Drone Inc.

Mobile, Ala.-based startup Deuce Drone said yesterday that flights are slated to begin in November between the Greer’s Market store on St. Louis Street in Mobile and business incubator Innovation Portal, which has provided funding to Deuce, to finalize the drones’ autonomous flight and package handling systems.

Greers Market-Deuce Drone.jpgDeuce Drone noted that its last-mile drone delivery solution aims to turn retail stores into customer fulfillment centers. (Photo courtesy of Deuce Drone)

“We are already invested in curbside pickup and delivery and look forward to offering an additional delivery option with Deuce Drone,” Lucy Greer, corporate spokeswoman for Mobile-based Greer’s Markets, said in a statement. “We continue to focus on technological advancements that make shopping Greer’s in-store and online advantageous to all consumers.”

The last-mile delivery drones will be operated in the under 55-pound category, carrying a payload of up to 10 pounds, Deuce reported.

For Greer’s customers, the same-day service will work as follows: Orders are placed via Deuce’s mobile app, the grocer prepares the packages, which then are submitted to a dronewaiter and loaded at the the drone port. The drone flies at a speed of 30 mph to the destination, and the order is delivered to the exact location with a QR code, with the drone returning to its port after the delivery.

Related:Kroger to test grocery deliveries by drone

Deuce noted that its drone delivery solution is designed to leverage retailers’ current infrastructure, transforming stores into customer fulfillment centers and enabling them to compete with larger e-commerce players.

“We are excited to partner with Greer’s Markets. Our engagement presents an excellent opportunity to apply our technology in an urban setting,” according Bill Haub, senior director at Deuce Drone. “Our previous demonstration flights have proven that we are able to overcome many difficult challenges facing drone delivery. This development partnership is a great next step in Deuce Drone’s growth by providing the possibility of seamlessly transitioning to delivery service in downtown Mobile.”

Overall, Greer’s operates 29 supermarkets in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi under the Greer’s Market (four stores), Greer’s CashSaver (24 stores) and Greer’s Food Tiger (one store) banners. Five locations (four in Alabama and one in Mississippi) also house Greer’s Ace Hardware outlets.

Other grocery retailers that have tested drone delivery service include Rouses Markets (with Deuce Drone), Walmart (with DroneUp and Flytrex) and The Kroger Co. (with Drone Express).

Related:Rouses Markets to pilot drone delivery of groceries

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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