Hy-Vee teams up with Shipt, Instacart

Hy-Vee has partnered with Shipt and Instacart to expand its online grocery delivery footprint.

The West Des Moines, Iowa-based supermarket chain said Tuesday that through the Shipt and Instacart same-day delivery services, it will bring more grocery shopping options to customers in over two dozen Midwestern markets.

“Hy-Vee is excited to provide customers even more same-day delivery options by partnering with these national services,” Matt Ludwig, chief information officer and executive vice president of e-commerce at Hy-Vee, said in a statement. “As online grocery marketplaces experience rapid growth, Hy-Vee is matching pace to provide our customers a variety of personalized grocery delivery options.”

Plans call for Hy-Vee to continue its Hy-Vee Aisles Online shopping service. The retailer said Instacart and Shipt will provide expanded delivery areas and same-day delivery.

As with Hy-Vee Aisles Online, the grocer’s customers using Shipt or Instacart can note their grocery preferences, pick a delivery window and pay for their orders all on the service providers’ mobile apps or websites.

“With 245 stores across an eight-state region, Hy-Vee is always looking to meet customers’ needs,” Ludwig added. “Instacart and Shipt were a natural fit as more Hy-Vee shoppers look for same-day delivery options.”

Shipt said Tuesday that, starting on July 24, its service is slated to become available at Hy-Vee locations in Lawrence and Topeka, Kan.; Kansas City, Mo.; and Minneapolis. On July 26, same-day delivery is scheduled to launch at both Hy-Vee and Target stores in Omaha and Lincoln, Neb. — the first time that Shipt’s service will be available to Nebraska residents.

Through the new service, Hy-Vee customers can browse, search and shop the in-store assortment of products — including groceries, fresh foods and household essentials — in the Shipt online marketplace and app. They also can note preferences, pick a one-hour delivery window and pay for their order. The Shipt team of personal shoppers then handles selection, bagging and delivery of the items. Annual Shipt membership provides free, unlimited delivery on orders of more than $35.

In all of the new markets, Shipt is offering $50 off the regular $99 annual membership to consumers who sign up for the service before its launch date in their area. The e-commerce company also said it’s adding personal shoppers in those states to help support order fulfillment.

“Hy-Vee has been long recognized for its employee-owned model and for its commitment to powering healthy lifestyles and superior customer service. This new partnership allows us to bring loyal Hy-Vee shoppers the products they love right to their doorstep,” stated Shipt founder and CEO Bill Smith.

A subsidiary of Target Corp., Birmingham, Ala.-based Shipt currently has its online grocery marketplace and delivery service available in about 50 million households spanning over 150 markets nationwide.