Exclusive: Albertsons to launch new shopping feature in Boise

Albertsons first re-launched online shopping in the Treasure Valley last summer. Now the locally-based grocer is adding another convenience-focused feature.

Customers will soon be able to order groceries online and pick up at a store along the well-traveled Eagle Rd. coridoor. 

"For the initial rollout, customers will go online at shop.albertsons.com and select from a full assortment of grocery items. They will have the option to choose Delivery to home or Drive Up & Go store pick-up," Albertsons' Senior Director of Communications & Public Affairs Dennis McCoy said in an email. 

The service will start at the location on Eagle Rd. near McMillan Rd. starting in August. Customers will pull up to the store, parking a designated spot and call a number on the sign. An employee will then bring the order out to the customer's vehicle.

"We plan on expanding this service to other stores and banners in the future," McCoy said.

BoiseDev first reported on the project in April.

Screenshot of Drive Up & Go landing page from Safeway

It shares a name and service type with Safeway's Drive Up & Go. In the wake of Albertsons' merger with Safeway, the two companies have looked for ways to spread ideas across banners.

The concept is similar to Fred Meyer's Clicklist.

Albertsons is one of a number of traditional grocers trying to compete amidst a changing landscape - with Amazon's recent purchase of Whole Foods (which Albertsons also bid for, according to sources within the company) and other factors roiling the traditional grocery business.

This is the latest in a spate of upgrades to Albertsons stores in the Treasure Valley:

• The company says it has remodeled all but two stores in the state.
• It is building a new store in the Barber Valley.
  It is converting the old Shopko into a store at Eagle & Fairview.
• A new store is under construction at Broadway & Beacon in Boise.
• The former Paul's store in McCall is being rebuilt and expanded, and the company bought out McCall Drug.
• Gas stations are being added to some locations.
• It relaunched online shopping last summer.