Online grocery shopping is booming, and it is here to stay. In the U.S. alone, online grocery shopping reached nearly $90 billion in sales in 2020, an increase of more than $30 billion. The same research tells us that online grocery shopping will push past $100 billion in 2021. By 2023, it will make up 11.2% of total grocery sales in the United States.
Many grocery retailers are now trying to meet increased demand for online delivery. They are expanding their omni-channel capabilities for online ordering and refining their storage and distribution processes. Today the challenge is: How can grocers provide great experiences all the way to each customer’ doorstep?
It all comes down to delivery and the answer lies in ‘Dark Stores’.
What is a Dark Store?
A Dark Store -also known as micro-fulfillment center- is a location dedicated to rapid online order fulfillment. It is a small, local store but without the customers. Just like any other conventional grocery store, a Dark Store has aisles with shelving and racks for groceries.
When a customer order comes in, Dark Store employees pick and pack the items immediately. Then they either ship the order direct to the customer’s address or to a convenient collection point specified by the customer.
