Re: Groceries
 

There are a few, Save on Foods in BC does it much like Tesco. Lots of independents around. I shop a lot online, although with the CAD, staying closer to home for now. Some things are not available locally so rely on online from specialty vendors.

Grocery shopping, we pick our own, would not want someone else doing it for me. A lot of folks are now growing their own produce, we're putting down a bigger patch this year and have cold storage to keep it through the winter.

Re: Groceries
 

Yeah Save on Foods are the only big on that does it (I think?). Real Canadian just started doing click and collect in 9 stores as a trial.

Re: Groceries
 

It's not province wide with Save On though, just select markets.


I wish we could grow food, would help immensely but little community plots or a pot or 2 on a patio doesn't do much to reduce costs, may even cost more considering how little our plants produced last year.

Re: Groceries
 

Online shopping in Canada is horrible, shipping high, slow, and simply not worth it.

Now with the Canadian peso back, online buying is a thing of the past again...

Re: Groceries
 

CAD is certainly an issue. Unfortunately we have to buy a lot in USD so we're seeing costs increasing. Some items from the US seemed to be buffered for now, but for how long who knows.

Re: Groceries
 

You want lower prices (I know its stating the obvious)
but do you not understand the consequences of future grocery shopping?- its not just about the online portal- its not just about the convenience of to your door delivery- there are fundamental changes coming which make bricks and mortar very expensive to maintain, hence my bewilderment about the Instacart business model- bear in mind that the current offerings of online are backward and not paradigm shifting in terms of what lays in the future.- Consider some of the reasons bricks & mortar is more expensive:Higher retail $ per sqm to commercial warehouse spaceHigher space required for shoppers to browse (adds to problem above)Mobility of staff is far less efficient (trick with warehouse efficiency is the reduce movement of staff

Re: Groceries
 

Yes, totally understand your viewpoint - the issue is, that may work in somewhere like the UK but in a vast country like Canada it just isn't viable apart from in the cities and immediate surrounding areas.

:)

Re: Groceries
 

Hi Siouxie, How about comparison to Australia with 4,000km distances?
I have taken away Rich's comments and seem to have a solution in my head that challenges the status quo and achieves the ability for rural customers to gain lower prices, no delivery charge, and get daily deliveries.
Hypothetical of course but it raises the question if its possible why are current providers not doing it?
I guess what I am trying to get across is the online is technology driven but its not about the web ordering portal, its what the back end technology today can achieve.

Re: Groceries
 

Perhaps current providers have realised or ascertained that it's not economically viable? Either that or, like many aspects of Canada, they just haven't got there yet.

As far as Australia and Canada as a comparison are concerned, it's like comparing kiwi's and polar bears. Australia isn't as big, and whilst it has areas that are remote they are not to the same degree as Canada; neither does it have the same weather, temperatures nor road conditions as Canada.

I'm not saying that your idea isn't a good one - I, for one, do miss online grocery shopping. However, perhaps spend some time here and get to know the place before you jump on everyone and dismiss their viewpoints? There have been some very valid and thoughtful responses given.

I thought this was quite interesting:
http://thetruesize.com/#?borders=1~!...gwMDAwMDA%29NQ

:)

Re: Groceries
 

It's mainly about population density, without it the delivery volume per mile is simply insufficient to sustain the operation (no matter how efficient the back end IT). Apparently there are some established grocery delivery operations in Toronto and other major centres.

Re: Groceries
 

But that's what I am saying they are like comparing the model T Ford to the Aeron.
Density is an issue but that's why you us a different logistical solution for both. Its not as cost prohibitive as you would think. Provided you are not just rolling out a 1970's bricks and mortar. Or relying on a Insta cart model which leverages off bricks and mortar third parties.

Re: Groceries
 

Thanks understand

Re: Groceries
 

I would have thought delivery of non-perishable groceries would be technically viable, lots of other goods are supplied without seeing the vendor (for example, we buy clothes, shoes and consumer durables from online retailers. We arrange building supplies and organize contractors by text). Instead of us taking a truck to Costco for $500 worth of flats of things and the neighbours all doing the same, it would be cheaper for Costco to send a truck to our street and drop off a couple of grand's worth.

The snag to my mind, and the reason for not using Grocery Gateway, when living in Toronto, is that some things require selection and/or specialty stores. As long as we're going to the butcher and cheese shop we may as well pick up the rest of the groceries. There's also the concern that it's not really viable to return anything that's been delivered and doesn't suit; shipping things from rural Canada is just too expensive. If the retailer sends rotten potatoes and doesn't have a shop then the customers only recourse is not to order again. In the meantime there's no dinner.

Re: Groceries
 

The supermarkets in Canada charge different prices based on geographical demographic.

There is no financial incentive for them to have all their prices in one place as it would give too much transparency and power to the consumer. They'd also take a hit on revenues.

Like most things in Canada there is only really two or three suppliers and with the illegal collusion between them all we will undoubtably never see proper online grocery shopping.

They've had it in the UK for over ten years now- there is no reason we don't have it in Ontario (the Golden Horseshoe) other than it is not in their financial interests to hurt their own revenues and add more costs.

No competition equals no innovation. It's the same reason we all have cable boxes from 1982.

Re: Groceries
 

This rings true for my business - non-perishables are a no brainer to get delivered, but fresh produce is hit and miss. I reject items like strawberries, bananas and salad items too frequently to bother ordering them any more. Rejecting products is easy enough, but it takes a month for me to get refunded, which hurts cashflow.

It's more reliable to dive to Costco 80kms away than have things taken off the menu for 2-3 days until the next delivery.

Re: Groceries
 

This is the same for the 2 biggest commercial suppliers too (Sysco and GFS). Operate your business from a ski resort and delivered prices are higher than in a neighbouring town. Transport costs are cited as the reason, but given the price of oil that doesn't hold much water when I'm being charged exactly the same fuel surcharge year in, year out.

If anyone ever wonders why eating out at a ski resort is so expensive, blame the suppliers, not the business operators.

I've used both Sysco and GFS as suppliers and it's amazing how similar their inflated prices are. Buying at retail from a grocery store shouldn't be 40-60% cheaper than in bulk from a national wholesale distributor, but it often is.

Re: Groceries
 

Welcome to rip-off Canada. :thumbdown:

Re: Groceries
 

At least we can go south and buy products with our strong dollar :unsure:

Re: Groceries
 

I wouldn't have thought that would be an issue. They could just 'attach' a customer postcode to whatever store they'd expect the customer to shop at and charge the same price.

It already happens with Home Depot and Home Hardware, for example.

That's as likely as any reason. The old "it's the way it is" and "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" attitude.

Funny...with the weather here you'd think not going to the store would be popular. But the day before an expected storm, 'everyone' goes shopping as if it's xmas and the shops are closed for a week. :rofl:

Re: Groceries
 

I don't dispute this in the slightest, I purchase non-perishables online (including Chocolate Hobnobs, lol) - but I thought Parnell was talking about general groceries including perishables.

In respect of Grocery Gateway specifically, I have found they will replace or refund anything that isn't as expected or up to standard without quibbling.

:)

Re: Groceries
 

Have you tried Chocolate Caramel Hobnobs?
You have been warned. ;)

Re: Groceries
 

Crumbs?

Re: Groceries
 

Not yet - I saw them on a UK site but not sure they are available here yet - they sound yummy though!

No, lol, Walmart pack them in bubble wrap surrounded by bubble wrap in a double walled box - never had a broken one yet! (and they don't charge for delivery). I treat myself once in a while. :)

McVitie's Milk Chocolate Hobnobs | Walmart.ca

Re: Groceries
 

I feel sure if this was viable Jimmy Pattison would be all over it. Not much slips by him!

Re: Groceries
 

I agree - hence my previous posts.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/maple.../#post11836893
http://britishexpats.com/forum/maple.../#post11836922
;)

Re: Groceries
 

I have an idea Sobeys does them in their Brit section too.

I always preferred ordinary ones.

It's Club biscuits other than orange they need to do though. Either mint or fruit. I only see orange. :(

Re: Groceries
 

I sent this email to the President of Overwaitea a few years ago:

Sent: Friday, October 28, 2011 8:36 AM
To: Steve van der Leest (Overwaitea Food Group)
Subject: Customer service proposal

Hi Steve,

You're likely a busy man, so I'll cut to the chase.

I hate shopping.

The parking, finding change for a cart, the slow aisle shuffle behind indecisive shoppers, checkout line-ups.....there must be an easier way.

Yesterday my wife shopped for groceries at the Save On store in Kamloops, but forgot her purse and staff kindly took the bagged shopping aside to a chiller, and held on to it for me to collect and pay for after work. It was the best shopping experience I've had. No hassle, walk in, collect, pay. Five minutes of my time rather than the usual hour.

While living in Europe I was used to the convenience of online grocery shopping and home delivery. Here, I appreciate the lower population density, and greater distances probably mean that business model is less feasible. It struck me yesterday though, that being able to place an order online and have a member of staff pre-bag everything for me to collect after work would be worth paying a premium for. A drive through option would be even better still. We all lead busy lives, ferrying children from place to place, trying to meet appointments, or merely not wanting to be late home for the early hockey game. Save On could gain a competitive advantage offering this service, I'd gain more time in the pub, and you'd usurp Galen Weston as the housewives' pin-up. It's a win-win for all involved.

Thanks for your consideration.

Rich

His reply a few hours later:

[email protected]
28/10/2011
to me

Thanks for the note Rich – a good thought and something that we too have been trying to wrap our minds around. We will be sharing your comments with our home delivery development team.

Regards,

Steve

Re: Groceries
 

He didn't reply to my next mail. I guess he got too busy :(

to Steve_van_der_.

You're welcome. I won't hold you to ransom and share the idea with Galen. He's too busy making commercials to listen anyway.

From a logistics and operational perspective, orders placed 24hrs in advance would enable a night crew to shop unencumbered by the great unwashed members of society that frequent the store during daylight hours (might want to alter that messaging in a press release). It'll make for better efficiencies.

In the UK, stores like Safeway and Tesco would offer the option to substitute an item if it was out of stock - I guess it made the online ordering process less complex in terms of database maintenance or integration with store stock levels. It'd mean a wholewheat loaf could get swapped for a multi-grain loaf, that sort of thing. There was little chance of ending up with salami when you fancied a donut.

The logistics of storage, a collection point and checkout are probably the trickiest to resolve within existing environments, but man's been to the moon. These things aren't insurmountable, according to my preliminary back of a beer mat calculations.

Enjoy the weekend,

Rich

Re: Groceries
 

I liked your first email.

On your second you should have asked him who was heading up the team then forwarded them your further thoughts.

Off topic where is the cheapest place to stay in Sun Peaks that would give a person their own bedroom/bathroom? Best price I've found so far is $140 per night and I'm wondering if that can be squeezed on?

Re: Groceries
 

Cheapest place is the hostel (shared dorm with nubile Scandinavian backpackers) at $27 per night. A private room there is $75 per night, but still shared bathrooms.

You're unlikely to find anything much under $150 between now and March with your own facilities. Occupancy rates (I get weekly reports) are 80%+ for much of the season, so bargains are few and far between.

I'd offer you a self-contained basement suite at home here, but have the out-laws staying until late March.

Re: Groceries
 

i suppose the issu is the company's ROI on setting up an online shopping front end when it's only going to be used by customers coming in to pick up. That must be a much smaller subset than delivery customers, as there's still a time investment in ordering online, but not the compensating convenience of not having to exit the house. Many customers will think, if they're driving to the store anyway, they can spend half an hour choosing their groceries.

As far as I know grocery 'click and collect' still isn't offered in the UK, although online/catalog products can be click and collected.

Re: Groceries
 

This is their issue, they have created warehouses for customers to pick pack.
New age online grocery order picking is around 9 mins (does not matter size of order as process is driven by waves which last 15 mins).
Difference in time is waves are broken down into 00 (on the hour) 15 past, 30 past and 45 past. All orders ready for dispatch are picked in that quarter (15 min wave).
Delivery vehicles are auto loaded (means 10 seconds)
Then out the door
So the challenge for bricks and mortar and extended service delivery companies like Insta cart is how can they perform in this time frame which also includes auto checking of all orders for 100% compliance.
On issue of quality and returns - depends on company but a reputable company establishing a trusting relationship would not think twice of replacement and/or credit dependent on your choice, with replacement straight away not booking another timeslot.
On choosing your own product - have you seen the other 400 people squeezing and sneezing over the selection before you? The less handling the longer shelf life/pantry/fridge life.

Re: Groceries
 

Modern click and collect is 15 minutes where by you order and literally click to collect straight away or time you prefer. By the time you get in your car and arrive at the location your order would be ready.

Re: Groceries
 

Tesco offered click and collect before I left. I picked up my Christmas groceries one year as I was too late choosing a delivery slot. But you could do it any time of the year. How I miss online grocery shopping....there is a partial service I'm going to try here, mostly fruit and veg and essentials and I would still need to do a dry shop but could maybe do that once every two weeks. Best I'm going to get I'm afraid.

Re: Groceries
 

As has been previously voiced, if I have to go to the shop I may as well do the shopping. In Norfolk we were remote from a Supermarket so the £5 delivery charge was easily justified

Re: Groceries
 

Few people are that time sensitive on groceries. Take away meals, maybe.

Re: Groceries
 

Didn't know that. I don't use the mighty Tesco but they certainly have a big online operation.

Re: Groceries
 

IGA here offers 'click & collect', also order online & delivery (in selected locations, i think). In either case, in the time it takes to go through the process, I can go to the store, shop, come home, put away the shopping & have dinner on the table, as well as other meals for the freezer simmering/roasting/bubbling away.

I did seriously check into using this option* years ago when living in the back of nowhere & working silly hours at some distance outside the home: it was quicker & easier to just go do the shop, & the delivery option wasn't, & still isn't available to "back of nowhere".

*It failed seriously not only in terms of time saving/convenience, but also in the selection of fresh produce: neither a computer, nor an order picker, can make the decision that if broccoli looks seriously awful, to change plans & choose cabbage/chard/whatever instead .,.

Re: Groceries
 

The precise time provides more certainty for example you can order on say a Monday for a Friday delivery, but within a 15 minute slot, so more convenient.

Re: Groceries
 

We used Occado for a while (now stand alone rather than Waitrose subcontractor)...it was an impressive app, but after a while it gets cumbersome when you have so many favourites and various specials pop up. We reverted to normal supermarket shopping, where there is the added advantage of seeing products you forgot that you need.