WESTFIELD-As businesses continue to find innovative ways to assist customers during the coronavirus pandemic, Stop & Shop is the latest grocer to offer a new pickup service.
“We’re always looking for new ways to innovate our services and offer greater conveniences for our customers, and our new pickup service here in the Westfield Stop & Shop is just one more way we’re trying to make grocery shopping easier for our customers,” said Matthew Balboni, Westfield Stop & Shop store manager.
Local stores including Walmart and Big Y also offer this service to area residents.
Stop & Shop associate Neville Cornelius prepares a pick up order for a customer. The new service is now available in Westfield. (STOP & SHOP PHOTO)
Balboni noted that the new pickup service has been “really well received.”
“We hope that as more customers learn about the service, they begin to add pickup as just another grocery shopping option for them,” he said.
Customers shopping online at stopandshop.com or via a new Stop & Shop mobile app are able to place their order online and have it ready in store in as soon as four hours, according to Balboni.
“Due to high demand at certain times, pickup windows vary, so we urge customers to view pickup availability on the website or the app,” said Balboni.
Balboni added that the company has “worked really hard” to make the app and website as seamless as possible for customers.
“We have seen many customers shop for their parents or a loved one who may not be able to use a computer,” said Balboni. “You can actually refill your cart with the same items as your prior transaction, so that makes things easier if you’re shopping for someone else, since all they’ll need to do to get their groceries is drive to our store, call to let us know they’re in the parking lot, and we’ll bring their groceries right out to their car. If you’re shopping for someone else, you can also opt for home delivery to have their order delivered right to their doorstep.”
If a particular product brand is not available at the time of the order, Balboni said the store associate will substitute a comparable item. Due to customer demand, supply may be limited for certain items like disinfecting wipes and other cleaning products and may not be available for purchase.
“We strive to have all products in store at all times, but in the event that we don’t have a particular item in store, we will work to substitute for a comparable item for you,” said Balboni. “Customers are encouraged to opt-in for ‘Comparable Substitutions’ while shopping on stopandshop.com and on the mobile app.”
Balboni added that purchase limits are also still in place for certain high-demand items, and customers are encouraged to allow for comparable substitutions.
Customers are asked to have their trunk or door open for associates to place groceries directly into their vehicle. Customers are also encouraged to wear face masks and limit the number of people in their vehicle, when possible, according to Balboni.
All pickup associates will be wearing masks and follow all of the same sanitizing precautions as its in-store associates, including surface sanitization and regular hand washing.
“New customers can receive the service free for 90 days by entering SSFREEPICKUP at checkout,” said Balboni, noting a minimum purchase is required. “Online pickup fee is waived on the first order and then on all subsequent orders of $30 or more if placed within 90 days of the first order.”
The offer does exclude alcoholic beverages, gift cards, postage stamps and any other purchases prohibited by law, according to Balboni.
“We’re excited to add pickup services for our Westfield Stop & Shop shoppers,” said Balboni. “More important now than ever before, the pickup services provide a convenient and accessible way for our customers to have easy access to food, brought right to their car, without having to shop in-store themselves. We hope the Westfield community can begin to enjoy this service as a way to save them both time and money.”
