(LOS ANGELES) — Earlier this month, Unified Western Grocers began testing a new online grocery shopping system at the company's SavMax Foods store in North Highlands, California.
Called SupermarketButler.com, the online grocery service is designed to appeal to area consumers who prefer to do their grocery shopping via computer. The primary difference between SupermarketButler.com and Webvan, which exited this particular market last July when it went out of business, is that grocery orders are filled at the SavMax store, not at a distant warehouse or fulfillment center. Consumers have the option of having groceries delivered to their home, office or, if they prefer, pick them up at the store themselves. A small service or delivery fee is assessed on grocery orders under $50 for in-store pick-up and on orders under $75 for home or office delivery.
SupermarketButler.com, which utilizes MyWebGrocer.com software and infrastructure as the backbone of its operations, offers consumers approximately 15,000 items at the same everyday low prices that the North Highlands SavMax offers to its in-store shoppers. Customers not satisfied with any product purchased online receive a full refund for that product — no questions asked.
"We believe SupermarketButler.com has an excellent chance to become successful in this market," said Dan Murphy, senior vice president, retail support services. "Despite the well-publicized failures of others in this area, studies show that the online grocery industry is expected to become an $11 billion market by 2006, which is more than double its current size."
This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to benefits expected to be derived from the proposed acquisition. There are a variety of factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the statements above. These factors are outlined in Unified's Form 10-Q and other interim reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Furthermore, Unified undertakes no obligation to update, amend or clarify forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.