Google To Deliver Groceries

An anonymous reader writes: Out of carrots? Fire up Google and search for some. They might just show up at your house. Bloomberg reports that the search giant will start testing a grocery delivery service later this year in San Francisco and one other city. Google will be partnering with Costco, Whole Foods, and other grocery stores to source their products. "Google is investing in delivery services for homes and businesses as it seeks to lure more traffic to its websites. The move puts the company in more direct competition with Amazon, which has rolled out its AmazonFresh service in several U.S. cities. ... The fresh-food trial, including fruits and vegetables, is part of a move away from making deliveries from warehouses, which can add complexity and requires refrigeration."

Comments

Didn't we already try this

[Anonymous Coward]

Back around 2000?

Anyhow, I'll use google grocery if they can bring more vegan products to market.

Re:Didn't we already try this

[Xochil]

Yes, and Webvan was great!

Re:Didn't we already try this

[rudy_wayne]

This is Webvan 2.0

Now with more . . . . something!!

Re:Didn't we already try this

[future assassin]

Hey if the studio can rehash/reboot movies every 10/15 years Google can rehash/reboot millennial internet ideas. Give it 5 more years and flash will be the web 4.0 once more with flash intro, flash carts, flash contact forms and etc..

Re:Didn't we already try this

[phantomfive]

WebVan is the most famous. As I see it, home grocery delivery is an infrastructure problem. WebVan failed by expanding rapidly in multiple markets, before they had the cash flow to really support even one market. Furthermore, the infrastructure they built was not really what they needed (which is why they should have started in one market and expanded.......make the mistakes at a small scale, then you know what to avoid when you scale up).

Now there are plenty of companies doing it. I know one person who does all their shopping this way. I had the impression Google was already doing this is in some markets.

Re:Didn't we already try this

[PopeRatzo]

I'll use google grocery if they can bring more vegan products to market.

And I'll use them if they can bring more endangered species meat to market.

I still have thylacine on my bucket list.

Re:Didn't we already try this

[TWX]

Local grocery chains are already better positioned to offer this kind of service; their stores themselves can act as the supply house from which the order is pulled, assembled, and delivered from. Even if a particular chain decides to select only specific stores to do it, those can be the best equipped stores with the most merchandise variety to source from.

This whole thing reminds me of how Sears really screwed up; they could have been the Amazon of today if they had leveraged their geographical ubiquity and made home delivery and online ordering work with the Internet. They had one of the best catalog services ever, and they tore it apart to put their efforts into store retail sales. They could have fulfilled same-day or next-day delivery to probably 80% of the population of the United States for LOTS of products if they'd tried. Instead their various divisions are forced to compete against each other.

Re:Didn't we already try this

[hawguy]

Local grocery chains are already better positioned to offer this kind of service; their stores themselves can act as the supply house from which the order is pulled, assembled, and delivered from. Even if a particular chain decides to select only specific stores to do it, those can be the best equipped stores with the most merchandise variety to source from.

But only if they have accurate real time inventory, otherwise they can't complete with a company with good enough logistics to tell you when the item you're ordering is out of stock. I've ordered from Instacart a few times (Safeway and Whole Foods), and though their service is very convenient, they are regularly out of stock of 10 - 20% of the items I ordered. I realize that the same item is out of stock at the store, but at least when I'm shopping at the store I can look around for a suitable substitute even if it's not in the same class of item that I ordered ("Oh crap, they are out of sandwich meat, I guess I'll get a frozen pizza instead"). It got to the point where i'd have to go shopping after they delivered the order so I could pick up the things that I really needed, and if I have to go to the store anyway, I might as well pick up *everything* I need.

Re:Didn't we already try this

[jellomizer]

There are some things in technology has changed in the last 15 years.
The biggest things are the following.
1. Big Data: Google can get areas to target more accurately, able to search for sources where food is cheapest or at quality level.
2. GPS and Mapping. Back in the early 2000's only a few people had GPS, now it is everywhere, as well we get more accurate maps, and planning software to optimize our routes.
3. Uber effect. There shows there is a good size population willing to work for themselves under some umbrella group.

Am I predicting a lot of success? No but things are a bit different then from their first attempt and I wouldn't be surprised if google did find a way to make it work.

Re:Didn't we already try this

[Anonymous Coward]

Here in the UK there is a online only supermarket called Ocado that I use and solves this problem
They have good stock information online, but once in a while somethings are out of stock anyways. When this happens they usually can replace it with a similar product, and just charge you the lower price if the new item is more expensive (eg 300g cheddar is out of stock, they deliver 400g cheddar and charge you the price for 300g).

Re:Didn't we already try this

[swb]

We tried a grocery delivery service when it first rolled out here in Minneapolis back in 2000. The whole experience was kind of disappointing. For likely logistical reasons you had some kind of order deadline a day or so before the order would be delivered and of course in sophistication terms, the ordering process was web-2000 clunky.

The bigger problem was that even though someone else picked the items and delivered them, it didn't feel like it saved a ton of time or effort. We have 5 major supermarkets within 10 minutes drive, so transit isn't an issue. With delivery, you still have to unload the containers into your house, so walking the bags from the car isn't really eliminated. Frozen is problematic unless you're home when the delivery comes.

And ordering from a list is problematic -- I often find myself making closer judgements on items I may not buy regularly and you can't do that from a list. Sometimes you have a sudden change about what you might buy in the store -- an inspiration from something you see, a realization that making a specific meal doesn't make sense due to a change in plans, or remembering somehting that wasn't on your shopping list and so on. And then there's choosing produce and meat. I can make decisions about that stuff that fit my own specific standards, not some grocery pickers standards.

There's also the notion that some people like shopping in person. It can be a chore, but I'm sure more than one married parent will admit that sticking their spouse with the kids while you go to the store is a mini-escape, complete with an unadvertised trip to Starbucks and/or some other side trip.

Re:Didn't we already try this

[phantomfive]

This whole thing reminds me of how Sears really screwed up; they could have been the Amazon of today if they had leveraged their geographical ubiquity and made home delivery and online ordering work with the Internet. They had one of the best catalog services ever, and they tore it apart to put their efforts into store retail sales. They could have fulfilled same-day or next-day delivery to probably 80% of the population of the United States for LOTS of products if they'd tried. Instead their various divisions are forced to compete against each other.

That's a really interesting point.

Re:Didn't we already try this

[drinkypoo]

At least some stores will substitute for you. Problem is, they don't care as much about your shopping as you do, so they won't necessarily make intelligent substitutions. You'll order the cheapest and get the most expensive, or you'll order the no-GMO organic hippy version and get back a packet of chemicals.

Re:Didn't we already try this

[FranTaylor]

But only if they have accurate real time inventory,

they would have to install sensors and continuously monitor every individual piece of produce to do that. produce goes bad in the truck, it goes bad in the back of the store, it goes bad on the shelf. Determining your actual produce inventory in real time is harder than determining the life status of schoedinger's cat.

Re: Didn't we already try this

[FranTaylor]

how do they remove rotten fruit and vegetables from the real time inventory? do they put sensors on them?

Re:Didn't we already try this

[FranTaylor]

That's a really interesting point.

the story about how idiotic "libertarian" business managers thought the company would do better if it "competed with itself" has been all over the trade rags

Re:Didn't we already try this

[FranTaylor]

There's also the notion that some people like shopping in person.

because maybe today's produce sucks and you can decide on the spot to have something different for dinner instead of eating stale vegetables

Re:Didn't we already try this

[xaxa]

Here in the UK there is a online only supermarket called Ocado that I use and solves this problem

What's possibly surprising to Americans is home-delivered groceries is a solved problem in Britain. Tesco has been selling through a website since 1996, almost as long as Amazon. Delivery costs as little as £1, and you choose a time slot for delivery.

Wander round any British town or city and you'll soon notice delivery vans from Tesco, Sainsbury's, Ocado, Waitrose, Asda or the other large supermarkets. They're probably the most common commercial vehicles after about 7pm in residential areas.

Re:Didn't we already try this

[xaxa]

At least some stores will substitute for you. Problem is, they don't care as much about your shopping as you do, so they won't necessarily make intelligent substitutions. You'll order the cheapest and get the most expensive, or you'll order the no-GMO organic hippy version and get back a packet of chemicals.

The supermarkets in Britain will either charge you for what you ordered if they substitute something more expensive, or let you refund it when it's delivered (substitutions are generally packed separately, so you can check immediately and hand what you don't want to the driver). They also let you specify what should happen, you can e.g. ask for the item to be skipped if the exact thing isn't in stock.

They've been working on this since 1996.

Re: Didn't we already try this

[TWX]

No, they ship them out to catalog customers...

Re:Didn't we already try this

[phantomfive]

Mainly I had never thought that they were in a position to overtake Amazon, but his post made me realize they were.
I didn't think their brick-and-mortar locations could be an asset, but I guess that shows my short-sightedness.

With or without ads?

[davidwr]

Can I pay extra to not have to watch^H^H^H^H^Heat the ads?

Re:With or without ads?

[MouseR]

The only ads you'll have will come from Mosanto.

Seems kinda empty

[the_Bionic_lemming]

I searched google shopping for a confederate flag.

No results.

I'll stick with duck duck go.

Re:Seems kinda empty

[the_Bionic_lemming]

p.s. - on a side note, if you search google shopping for the "n" word (spelled out like it's used in rap) they have tons of stuff you can buy....

Re:Seems kinda empty

[Anonymous Coward]

Same with Amazon, but neither have a problem selling ISIS flags.

Re:Seems kinda empty

[Anonymous Coward]

Google sells Nazi flags, ISIS flags, anarchist flags, KKK flags.............. But no CONFEDERATE flags.

Liberalism at its finest....

Re:Seems kinda empty

[Zaatxe]

Why not a North Korean flag instead? I got plenty of results for it. Iran's flag as well.

Re:Seems kinda empty

[drinkypoo]

The only thing you buy is confederate flags? What the hell does your truck look like? A patriotic hedgehog? Are there red, white and blue truck nuts hanging from the hitch receiver?

Yeah, bit with a big difference

[davidwr]

Back then you had to use the interwebs or actually talk to someone on the telephone-thingy.

Now, "there's an app for that."

Apps are magic, they can turn anything into money. I know this is true because an App told me so.

That easy, huh?

[Dutch Gun]

Out of carrots? Fire up Google and search for some. They might just show up at your house.

I'm going to search for "gold bullion" and see if the same principle applies.

Re:That easy, huh?

[freeze128]

For gods sake, do not type "Ads". The horror...

Take the carrots

[davidwr]

Carrots are cheaper and tastier.

I'm shocked.

[adolf]

Unlike every other hip thing, ever, this service actually includes my middle-of-nowhere town in Ohio.

There aren't any local businesses or franchisees on it, except for PetSmart and Walgreens (neither of which ever get any of my money), and I don't expect that to change any time soon. Most of the things I use I buy locally, unless they're somewhat arcane, and then it is Amazon or eBay.

On the other hand it does work with a subset of things from Costco, and the nearest Costco is a far enough drive that for some things their delivery fee might make direct financial sense.

Re:I'm shocked.

[FranTaylor]

Unlike every other hip thing, ever, this service actually includes my middle-of-nowhere town in Ohio.

grocery delivery was hip 100 years ago, it's good to see you are catching up

Re:I'm shocked.

[adolf]

Oddly, of all the things they seem to be offering for same-day delivery in my town, most of it is not groceries but hard goods.

And hard goods delivery is a hip thing in 2015: Malls and retail giants are failing, but people still buy their stuff somewhere.

Hopefully they'll deliver earlier than AmazonFresh

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm tired of hearing those guys bang on the front door to my building at nearly midnight a couple of nights a week.

And pushing Nest WITH Dropcam video

[Anonymous Coward]

All the better to see what's in your fridge, and bedroom.

There's aleady a succesfull delivery service

[future assassin]

Its called my me and my car or my kid with my car.

Uh .. Google Express anyone ?

[savuporo]

Um i have seen Google Express cars around here for years now, presumably doing mostly grocery deliveries. Not sure what we are talking about ?

https://www.google.com/express...

Re:Uh .. Google Express anyone ?

[hawguy]

Um i have seen Google Express cars around here for years now, presumably doing mostly grocery deliveries. Not sure what we are talking about ?

https://www.google.com/express...

You could always read the article if you want to know more about what the summary is about:

Google Inc. will start testing a delivery service for fresh food and groceries in two U.S. cities later this year, stepping up competition with online retailer Amazon.com Inc. and startup Instacart Inc.
The trial will begin in San Francisco and another city, said Brian Elliott, general manager of Google Express, which already delivers merchandise, including dry foods, to customers. Whole Foods Market Inc. and Costco Wholesale Corp. will be among Google’s partners for the new service, he said.

(emphasis mine)

Re:Uh .. Google Express anyone ?

[savuporo]

'Dry foods' is bollocks. You can order 'fresh food and groceries' from Google Express right now

Not falling for it

[penguinoid]

Trying to lure me with a carrot, eh? I'm not falling for that.

Re:Not falling for it

[Translation Error]

Of course not. But what about this nice, juicy fishoid?

Uber/Lyft could probably do this too

[GoodNewsJimDotCom]

I've in the past said,"It'd be great if I could order and pay for my groceries before I get to the store and have a stock person have them in a cart for me.", but I was criticized that this takes a stock person's time.

If Uber/Lyft had a computer database of the stuff sold at grocery stores(not trivial), they could simply have drivers be ordered to pick up stuff for people who ordered. The driver would show up at the grocery store, do the shopping and take it back to the person who can't get out of their house, or someone without extra time to go shopping.

In addition to the app-taxis, stores themselves could put together a delivery service for a fee or over a certain amount bought. It wouldn't require much more than building a front end to their store's database of prices. Then they'd just have a driver(like pizza delivery). I think it'd attract more business if a company went this route. I'd use it myself if Aldi's did it.

Re:Uber/Lyft could probably do this too

[DeathToBill]

Not sure if it's just a US thing. In the UK, "click and collect" is available in most supermarkets (and in Australia, for that matter). But then so is web-ordered home delivery.

As I said back when Amazon started trialing this, I think they'll find it hard to compete with the supermarkets. Fresh food can't be stored in a warehouse on one side of the country and posted everywhere; it requires a complex distribution infrastructure, with local stock regularly replenished and without everything passing through a central distribution point to get there. It also requires some well-developed methodology for estimating stock requirements ahead of time. Supermarkets that are regularly out of stock don't do well, nor do ones that significantly over-stock and have to throw goods away.

Re:Uber/Lyft could probably do this too

[Gavagai80]

I've in the past said,"It'd be great if I could order and pay for my groceries before I get to the store and have a stock person have them in a cart for me.", but I was criticized that this takes a stock person's time.

Raley's and Bel-Air have an e-cart option for that, here in northern California.

Re:Uber/Lyft could probably do this too

[kamapuaa]

Safeway.com offers that. They will also deliver.

Re:Uber/Lyft could probably do this too

[Joe_Dragon]

and we they say 30 min's or it fees and people start dieing / getting hurt in car accidents. The lawyers will go after google deep pockets and no you can say the diver is an IC you can't have to sue them.

Re:Uber/Lyft could probably do this too

[Xest]

"Not sure if it's just a US thing."

Yes, this is one of those rare occurrences where the UK is actually about 15 years ahead of North America. Reading this thread has been like a throwback to the turn of the millennium.

Watching Americans talk about long solved problems in this way is amusing. This must be how things are to them the rest of the time when they look at all our antiquated systems where they're usually years ahead of us.

Imagine if they could..., what about this problem?, why don't they...?, wouldn't it be nice if?

Hello America, this is something we can teach you all about. The UK has a fantastic environment for online grocery shopping, whether you want it all bagged ready for you to pick up on your way home from work, or whether you want it delivered to your door, or whether you'd like next day delivery 7 days a week. We have all this, and it's been working well for a long time.

Even early problems like freshness, inability to pick out a product, and substitution are no longer much of an issue. It even turns up in colour coded bags so it's quick and easy to put all the freezer stuff in the freezer and so on (and their vans are all refrigerated, so it stays fresh all the way). Dark grocery stores and well placed depots ensure that stock is usually better than that of your typical local supermarket. British supermarkets are probably the most experienced in the world at data mining sales data to understand stock requirements which helps.

When our Canadian friends were over a few weeks ago we'd already stocked the house up, but they made us do an additional shop for stuff we didn't really need more of just because they were desperately intrigued to see the miracle of groceries being brought to you.

I always figured the biggest problem North America had on this front was the logistics of doing it in such a large country with much lower average population density. They couldn't cover as high a percentage of the population as supermarkets in the UK can that's for sure but you'd expect the majority population in states like New York, California, and Texas to be trivially covered.

Re:cambridge massachusetts

[Anonymous Coward]

Translation --

My parents send me to a fancy, expensive school, and all I have to bitch about is my Amazon packages showing up a day late.

Bro -- bookmark this post and read it 10+ years later.

Trust me.

Google is floundering

[Anonymous Coward]

The natural life cycle of a tech giant:

1) Have one or a few good ideas and ride it to becoming a huge business
2) Accumulate the bean counters and middle managers necessary to run such a large company
3) Run out of growth for their main business
4) Flounder around trying random stupid ideas. Most fail because huge companies have massive bureaucracy and process.
5) Decline and collapse

IBM entered #4 in the mid-90s and is in late stage #5 today. M$ has been in #4 for the past decade and just entered #5. I'd wager that Google is entering stage #4. Let's see how long they last.

Re:cambridge massachusetts

[TWX]

This made me laugh...

Amazon outsources their local deliveries. Where I live it's OnTrac. I have never seen an OnTrac delivery vehicle that wasn't dented-up as badly as airport service vehicles. I really don't know why, I've had a field van assigned to me at my job for the last decade and the only obvious scrapes are on the back bumper where I park it against the fence so that it's harder to break into. These vans look like they strayed into the opening heat of a demolition derby before they realized and got the hell out; doesn't matter if it's a Ford Econoline, Ford Transit Connect, GMC Savannah or Chevy Express, or a Sprinter, they're always bashed up.

I suspect that they're being parked back at the lot by people that simply don't care; if they were in that many accidents on the road they'd probably have their insurance revoked and be shut down.

Re: Hopefully they'll deliver earlier than AmazonF

[Imrik]

Midnight is pretty early, nearly midnight is about as late as you can get.

peapod is still in business

[Joe_Dragon]

peapod is still in business and they have been doing stuff like this for years.

Re:peapod is still in business

[FranTaylor]

peapod is just a grocery store, paying someone to shop in the grocery store for you.

they have been providing this service for decades in various forms

What's Next?

[Anonymous Coward]

So after Google Groceries records and catalogs and data mines the food you eat, what's next? Google Waste Extraction to carefully document and monetize the food you excrete?

Re:cambridge massachusetts

[jellomizer]

Umm... Ok they are using an affordable, fuel efficient, and rather reliable car to deliver your goods. Would you feel better if you paid extra for your shipping if was shipped with some guy driving a Rolls-Royce, just so you know all the money your paying for shipping is going towards an expensive car vs going towards paying for the guy who is trying to ink out a living.

Of course I'll pay $20 for carrots

[JustAnotherOldGuy]

Yeah of course I'll pay two or three times the usual cost of all my food, why the hell not?

Oh yeah, because I don't want to pay two or three times the usual cost of my food.

Delivery

[Translation Error]

Out of carrots? Fire up Google and search for some. They might just show up at your house.

*reviews search history. flees house*

Re:cambridge massachusetts

[FranTaylor]

Would you feel better if you paid extra for your shipping if was shipped with some guy driving a Rolls-Royce

if his fancy rolls royce keeps the groceries properly refrigerated on his rounds, then yes

Why would i use Google

[Stan92057]

Why would i use Google instead of my Local grocerie store/stores? I don't trust Google, they have a history of getting fined/sued for tricking customers for more money. Doing Evil as apposed to Do no Evil? This may help some people but i don't think on the level of profit they want.