I think its an interesting approach setting up physical storefronts. Has this been thought about as a "drive-thru" add-on for existing grocery stores managed by the ernie's software? I think the number one use case is the quick trip – I need milk, eggs, bread etc. on my way home for breakfast tomorrow. I think this is really neat and I wish you complete success.
Show HN: Ernie's, Click & Collect Groceries
61–65 of 65 posts
Re: Show HN: Ernie's, Click & Collect Groceries
#62I'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...
(I'm an Ocado-loving, London native transplanted to SF for the last 6 years)
"What does this give me over Ocado (or their many many many competitors - I mean, Asda deliver?!)"
We have NOTHING like Ocado (or Waitrose, frankly) here in the US. I so wish we did. Grocery delivery is rare in general here too.
The UK is already a very mature, maybe even saturated, market for online shopping so something like Ernies would probably never appeal. It's one of the few examples where UK and rest of Europe is way way ahead of the US.
I could write a book on grocery retail in the US vs UK but a lot of it comes down to the fact that grocery stores don't make the same margins that they do in the UK.
Ocado works because Waitrose has some of the highest margins on their food because they sell premium high-quality brands and don't compete on price. Then there is a delivery fee on top of that. There are enough people in the UK, despite economic issues, that pay for premium groceries at Waitrose and want it delivered by Ocado (perhaps because they don't have a car).
Groceries in the US are way way cheaper, perhaps as much as 50% and the margins are lower. To give you a comparison, the premium grocery chain Whole Foods (which I think we now have a few in London) compares to Sainsburys on price yet the quality is better. A grocery store with price point of Waitrose or Marks & Spencer wouldn't survive in the US because Americans won't spend that kind of money on groceries.
Safeway here in San Francisco will offer home-delivery, but I think it's not something they do in their stores outside of cities, and the quality of the food is awful.
But delivery has never been popular in American because car ownership is more common then in the UK - which is probably why Ernies are choosing not to tackle it.
Anyone reading this and not familiar with Ocado should check it out - you'll be amazed at the prices but the quality and service is exceptional.
Re: Show HN: Ernie's, Click & Collect Groceries
#63Earlier quoted context omitted.
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 ;)
Forgive me but one of the main benefits I saw with Ocado when I lived in the UK was that deliveries were fulfilled from a Waitrose distribution center, rather than a store.
That means fresher food then what is available on Waitrose's shelves. For people who are not primarily cost-sensitive (ie Ocado/Waitrose shoppers) that's a significant advantage.
In fact I don't see any advantage with a store-fulfilled solution - the overheads are greater because the good had to be delivered from the distribution center to the store and put on the shelves, and there is a risk that the store picker will give me food with the shortest sell-by date to encourage stock rotation (Sainsburys do that all the time).
I can see in your instance that you are trying to offer fulfillment from independent retailers and so I guess your USP is that they are offering more unique food I can't get elsewhere - but I think that's a tough sell to make it worth my while to buy from you when most of my needs can be met from Waitrose via Ocado.
Re: Show HN: Ernie's, Click & Collect Groceries
#64Sam's Club has been offering something like this for at least a few years by my recollection.
http://www.samsclub.com/sams/pagedetails/content.jsp?pageNam...
Re: Show HN: Ernie's, Click & Collect Groceries
#65I 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…
Completely disagree with edw519.
My real problems are:
1. Finding stuff in a store. I hate walking 10 aisles for 20 minutes to find that $2 bowl of noodles.
2. Asking store workers for product locations. Takes time & hassle.
3. Buying unnecessary stuff i.e. falling victim to marketing and product placement.
I do not mind driving to the store AT ALL, as it is usually one stop out of many. Often it is on my way back from work or school.
If you ever come to the Bay Area, I guarantee I will use your service if your prices are within 10% of Safeway or Lucky's.
Good Luck!