Show HN: Ernie's, Click & Collect Groceries • Hacker News Board

Re: Show HN: Ernie's, Click & Collect Groceries

#51

Post by rsbrown » Thu, Sep 08, 2011, 3:30 PM UTC

openczun wrote: post #41

billybob wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Actually, I like the fact that this isn't delivery. I would expect to pay more for that, and driving to the grocery store would be no big deal if I didn't have to go in. One thing that could make things speedier would be something like an RFID tag in my car that gets scanned as I enter the parking lot, so you'd know what customers were about to pick up their groceries. (You'd have to carefully consider the privacy im…

Having worked with warehouses and warehousing systems, this is actually a real problem. A normal non-refrigerated warehouse can pick items (grab from the shelf) well in advance of the "pick up" time for carriers, so orders are ready to go when the truck arrives. In Ernie's model, it becomes a challenge having items ready when customers arrive, yet minimize the amount of time perishables are out of refrigeration. This…

Option number 2 is what we have planned. We have been working with a warehouse engineer that worked for a failed grocery delivery service. Note: it was delivery that killed them, not the challenges of warehouse management.

Re: Show HN: Ernie's, Click & Collect Groceries

#52

Post by camtarn » Thu, Sep 08, 2011, 3:32 PM UTC

brianbreslin wrote: post #28

Here in Miami we have these drive through convenience stores called Farm Stores. They just recently rolled out FarmStores.com which lets you order online, then schedule a pickup, and roll through and get your stuff. Very convenient, the $5 service charge I could do without, but still convenient. The concept of only having a limited set of distribution/pickup points makes a ton of sense, much cheaper than home deliver…

That's what upsell ads are for ;)

"Why not treat yourself? Instead of Own Brand Generic Turkey Slices why not try Bernard Matthews' delicious Wafer-Thin Turkey Slices, with meat from free-range turkeys, for only 20c?" "Having a BBQ? You bought barbeque sauce - what about some premium BBQ sausages and a chef's hat to grill in style?"

Re: Show HN: Ernie's, Click & Collect Groceries

#53

Post by JonWood » Thu, Sep 08, 2011, 3:46 PM UTC

tooba wrote: post #43

rsbrown wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As I've done research for Ernie's, I have been extremely impressed with what the UK grocers have accomplished (led by Tesco). If I had to pick a single grocery supply chain as our "gold standard" to emulate, it would definitely be Tesco.

I'm in the UK and would love click and collect groceries. Shopping online is the easy bit. Waiting around for a two hour delivery window is the problem especially when I drive past the store on the way home. Something like Ernie's would be ideal. It'd even be worthwhile for collecting a few day to day items. I'm surprised Tesco hasn't done this already.

Where do you live? If you're in East London you might want to give hubbub.co.uk a try (disclaimer: I'm there lead developer).

We do really good food, 1-hour delivery windows, and same day deliveries for no extra if you order before noon.

Re: Show HN: Ernie's, Click & Collect Groceries

#54

Post by tyohn » Thu, Sep 08, 2011, 3:48 PM UTC

edw519 wrote: post #29

I love that you're going after a market so ripe for disruption, appreciate your coming to Hacker News for feedback/community, and I wish you the best. But I think you have it backwards... The real problem is not the time spent in the supermarket, it's getting there and back. You're addressing the wrong issue. Many people want their groceries delivered for all kind of reasons: - They have small children they don't wan…

I like the idea. I'm much rather pick up my stuff than have it delivered. I don't want to wait around at home for the delivery and I don't want to wait in line at the store.

Edit: And as a plus - they could use Amazon like recommendation as customers are "shopping" instead of getting coupons after you finish your shopping - like they do in normal retail stores.

Re: Show HN: Ernie's, Click & Collect Groceries

#55

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Sep 08, 2011, 3:55 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Show HN: Ernie's, Click & Collect Groceries

#56

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Sep 08, 2011, 3:57 PM UTC

rsbrown wrote: post #18

retube wrote: post #11

This is an interesting concept. But I see a couple of issues: - You need physical stores. These take a lot of money and expertise to set up and run. And to expand/scale in any meaningful way will take a LOT of money. Plus of course you've got the added expense of having to actually do the shopping on behalf of your customers (ie walk round your inventory and fill the basket). Kind of the opposite to the Ikea model. A…

Good feedback, I appreciate it. "You need physical stores" : Sort of. We need physical warehouses . The core of the Ernie's business model is that these locations will be much cheaper to operate than the traditional grocery storefront, therefore increasing net margins. They will take expertise to operate; luckily, this expertise is well-established and readily available. "Your stores are going to have to be as big as…

[deleted]

Re: Show HN: Ernie's, Click & Collect Groceries

#57

Post by massarog » Thu, Sep 08, 2011, 4:08 PM UTC

Who made your video on the homepage? It is nicely done.

Re: Show HN: Ernie's, Click & Collect Groceries

#58

Post by nolemonplease » Thu, Sep 08, 2011, 4:08 PM UTC

DanielStraight wrote: post #44

rsbrown wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Keep in mind that you are a patron of a niche offering. I'm happy that it works well for you, but grocery shopping still sucks for the vast majority of shoppers in the United States. Ernie's aims to address that need.

I'm wondering on what you base the claim that grocery shopping sucks for the "vast majority" of shoppers. Honestly, I can't remember a single time in my life someone has complained to me about grocery shopping.

I don't really hear people complain about grocery shopping either.

But there are countless times where I've needed to do some serious grocery shopping, and I plainly just don't feel like going to the store. I've avoided the grocery store for weeks, because I just don't enjoy being there. And I'd rather spend that time doing other things. Which, is my problem, yeah, but if someone is offering a solution...

Re: Show HN: Ernie's, Click & Collect Groceries

#59

Post by JonWood » Thu, Sep 08, 2011, 5:05 PM UTC

cjrp wrote: post #26

peteretep wrote: post #16

I'm at work, and so don't really want to watch the video, so I'm going to ask directly: What does this give me over Ocado (or their many many many competitors - I mean, Asda deliver?!), who I order from, and then they deliver? This sounds like it just adds an extra step of my having to show up, rather than just agreeing that I'll be sat at home in my PJs watching Jeremy Kyle at the right time...

From the video, it seems like the main advantage is cost. Then again I happily pay the £50 (or whatever it is) for my unlimited Ocado pass, to avoid having to own a car in London, take the time to pick up the groceries, etc.

Where abouts in London are you? You might like to take a look at Hubbub (www.hubbub.co.uk). Depending on where you are the most you're going to pay for delivery at the moment is £3.50, which includes same day deliveries, and we deliver from proper food shops, rather then a soulless warehouse filled by the lowest bidder ;)

Re: Show HN: Ernie's, Click & Collect Groceries

#60

Post by dugmartin » Thu, Sep 08, 2011, 5:09 PM UTC

A chain here is Western Massachusetts does this:

http://www.bigy.com/bigy2go/

It works pretty well and we use it a few times a month. The problem we have is that shopping online is like ordering at a closed stack library - browsing the aisles in person lets you see deals for similar items.