Inside Indiana Business Report

CARMEL — Shoppers are now able to order their groceries online at a store in Carmel. The Kroger Co. says customers place the online order and pick it up at the store. Kroger says it plans to add the service at additional stores by the end of this month.

Kroger says customers select a pick-up time and then an employee gathers the order and loads it in the customer’s car. The customer will park in the designated pick-up lane and pay for the order when they arrive.

The service does not include pharmacy prescriptions.

There is not a definite timeline for when or if the service will hit the Warsaw Owen’s stores, but manager Tyler Ramsey believes chances are good. “It’s had great success down there,” he said. “I can see it working its way up to us.”

“Kroger has been testing online ordering in select stores since November, 2014, and we have received strong praise from customers,” Central Division President, Jeff Burt, said. “That feedback has helped us ensure this is not only convenient and cost-effective for our very busy customers, but manageable at the high customer service levels we expect from our associates. We will proceed carefully with the rollout in this region, including likely expansion to additional stores and look forward to enhancing the process in response to customer and store associate feedback.” 

Online ordering is available on smart phones. The company says it will waive the $4.95 service charge for each customer’s first three orders.