In Minnesota, the Star Tribune reports that Hy-Vee will close all of its four online fulfillment centers - in Eagan, Des Moines, Omaha and Kansas City, Mo.
Online orders now will be picked up in Hy-Vee stores.
"Our customers want a full assortment of products, personalized shoppers and same-day pick up at the store, which we are unable to fully provide when we process orders at a fulfillment center," Hy-Vee spokeswoman Christina Gayman said in a prepared statement.
Some context from the Star Tribune: "Hy-Vee's online ordering system called Aisles Online was launched in 2015. The Eagan, Omaha and Kansas City centers opened last year. The Eagan facility was about 90,000 square feet.
"About a year ago, Hy-Vee dropped plans for a distribution center in Austin, Minn., to focus on online ordering. Consumers can also use delivery services from Instacart and Shipt for Hy-Vee orders."
- KC's View:
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Interesting - and perhaps counterintuitive - move at a time when so many companies are opening micro-fulfillment centers and dark stores, believing that store-pick becomes both a distraction and an impediment to actual consumers shopping the stores.
