Uber Tests 10 Minute Delivery Service
The big online retailers such as Amazon, eBay, Groupon and WalMart have been focusing on developing same day delivery channels. Same day delivery is an effort that that may not only boost their edge over other retailers, but also add new anchor channels such as groceries, and also boost impulse sales.
We’ve also seen other players experiment with delivery. The San Diego Union Tribune, for instance, has tested delivery of coffee beans with the morning newspaper. Newspapers have been also a channel for free CPG samples with Sunday newspapers for years.
Now along comes Uber, in the midst of an ocean of bad publicity. It is testing a 10 minute delivery program called Uber Essentials, which is an evolution of an earlier Uber delivery test. The program allows under-utilized drivers to drop off key items from Flu medicine to toothpaste to birth control. The items are roughly the same price as local stores. As with Uber car service, items (and tips) are automatically charged to Uber accounts. One possible hangup: customers must meet their Uber driver on the street. They also cannot deliver alcohol.
The program is being launched with a free order up to $20, has a tie-in with a free sample of Dunkin Donuts packaged coffee — illustrating a potential advertising opportunity.