In a move aimed at meeting growing customer demand for online shopping, Hy-Vee Inc. has partnered with Takeoff Technologies, an e-grocery technology company, to employ micro fulfillment centers in select metro locations. The technology will complement Hy-Vee’s Aisles Online grocery ordering system by making the process more efficient for those employees shopping orders, according to a news release.
Boston-based Takeoff says retailers can use micro fulfillment capabilities to fulfill an average order of 25 items with just five minutes of labor. The technology also increases productivity of online fulfillment by up to 10 times through its speed, accuracy and reliability, when combined with a company’s current workforce, the company says.
“A network of micro fulfillment centers powered by Takeoff’s technology will help create new competitive advantages for Hy-Vee and enhanced online services for Hy-Vee customers,” Jose Aguerrevere, CEO and co-founder of Takeoff, said in the release.
While Hy-Vee customers will not see any changes to the way their orders are handled, the partnership will help meet the company’s goal to offer more time slots and availability to those using the service, the release said.
“We anticipate a very successful partnership between our two organizations, founded on Takeoff’s deep e-grocery expertise combined with Hy-Vee’s industry-leading grocery capabilities,” Mitch Freeman, president of Takeoff, said in the release.
Takeoff says its e-grocery MFC solution empowers grocers to thrive online using a technology based on leveraging automated fulfillment centers at a hyperlocal scale. Orders are placed online through established retailers who use Takeoff’s automated technology to fulfill the order.
“Hy-Vee is one of the most innovative grocery retailers worldwide, which is why we are so excited to work hand-in-hand with them to introduce this technology,” Curt Avallone, chief business officer of Takeoff, said in the release.
West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 550 locations across eight Midwestern states with sales of more than $13 billion annually, the release said.
Related: Retail Spotlight on Hy-Vee
