Costco has been late to the party for BOPIS (buy online, pickup in store). That’s somewhat understandable considering that their store entrances and parking lots are usually a beehive of activity with people, shopping carts, and cars swirling around outside. Finding dedicated outside space for BOPIS orders has not been easy (or safe).
But now Costco is testing this click-and-collect shopping method in select stores. Consumers like BOPIS since they avoid delivery fees and get their merchandise within an hour or so. Expect Costco to find some room to enable BOPIS as this is an increasingly popular fulfillment option that online shoppers are looking for.
The following excerpt from a Supermarket News article reports more on the topic:
After not having previously offered a click-and-collect option, Costco Wholesale has begun piloting curbside pickup for groceries at several warehouse clubs in New Mexico.
Issaquah, Wash.-based Costco hasn’t officially announced the test, but a page on the retailer’s website said same-day Costco Curbside Pickup powered by Instacart is now available to members at three clubs in Albuquerque, N.M. Users can choose from a selection of about 2,000 grocery items, including fresh food and some nonfood products.
Pickup times are offered in one-hour windows, and Costco has reserved parking spaces at each club providing curbside service. Costco will text members with status updates on their orders and, when the groceries are ready for pickup, they will receive a message on where to park and how to check-in. Costco associates prepare the orders and bring them to members’ vehicles.
Overview by Raymond Pucci, Director, Merchant Services at Mercator Advisory Group
