To allow shoppers to save time and money at neighborhood grocers, eCommerce platform Mercato has rolled out Mercato Green. The membership offering lets consumers in over 25 states across the country receive unlimited free, same-day deliveries from local grocers. The company will also “plant a tree for every order placed by a Mercato Green member,” according to an announcement.
Mercato Founder and CEO Bobby Brannigan said in the announcement, “We’re making local grocery delivery more accessible to everyone.” He continued, in, part, “We all lead busy lives and time is often our most constrained resource. A simple trip to the grocery store can take an hour, or more, and many people go multiple times a week. Mercato Green helps reduce the time people spend on grocery shopping and increases access to these great stores.”
Two Mercato Green membership plans are available, both offering a 14-day free, unlimited trial. The Neighborhood plan covers deliveries as far as three miles from the store, while the City plan includes a maximum of 10 miles. According to the company, “Both plans provide a deep discount for consumers who are looking for the convenience and reliability of same-day delivery from their favorite neighborhood grocers.”
Mercato said online grocery stores are estimated to reach $29.7 billion by 2021 and continue to rise as many people find traditional grocery shopping to be a hassle. Through Mercato, consumers can order groceries and have them delivered, usually within an hour or two. “This saves consumers hours and hassle, while at the same time supporting local, independent businesses,” the company noted.
In separate news, Mercato has teamed with DoorDash to offer same-day delivery of goods from specialty and independent food stores, per reports in August. Brannigan said in a press release at the time, “DoorDash and Mercato are highly aligned in our desire to help local businesses succeed.” He continued, in part, “In the next few months, we will have even more news regarding our delivery programs, including our first delivery subscription offering.”