Why don't grocery stores put their inventory online?

MBony

Platinum Member
Sep 16, 2003
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This would really help me out, and maybe that is why they don't do it. Is it because there is so much inventory? Do any stores do it? I'd love to be able to do some comparison shopping prior to going out. Would it be tough to implement and maintain?
 

mundane

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2002
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I imagine they believe it is *not* in their best interest to provide prices on all of their goods, online.
 

wiredspider

Diamond Member
Jun 3, 2001
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inventory as in what they have in stock, or as in the prices of their items?

I imagine they don't put it online because then competitors could use that information.. I'm sure the information is already all there, just a matter of placing it on the web, which I don't think would be all that great of an idea... I know Walmart has crazy amounts of data regarding their inventory and they mine the stuff, so that if there is a hurricane/tornado in the area they send more beer and pop tarts to that store.
 

sactoking

Diamond Member
Sep 24, 2007
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Big picture- grocery store prices are almost identical. The main difference is the loss leaders they advertise each week to get you in the door.
 

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
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I Order my Groceries Online and have them Delivered. I don't think all in store items are available that ay though. More Grocery stores should get into it. Very convenient for the Customer, although I'm not sure how many people take advantage of it.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
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Originally posted by: Baked
You know Amazon.com sells groceries right?

can of peas (1)....... $0.59

subtotal................... $0.59

shipping.................. $5.75

total........................ $6.34
 

Modelworks

Lifer
Feb 22, 2007
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Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: Baked
You know Amazon.com sells groceries right?

can of peas (1)....... $0.59

subtotal................... $0.59

shipping.................. $5.75

total........................ $6.34

:thumbsup:
 

KeithTalent

Elite Member | Administrator | No Lifer
Administrator
Nov 30, 2005
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Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: Baked
You know Amazon.com sells groceries right?

can of peas (1)....... $0.59

subtotal................... $0.59

shipping.................. $5.75

total........................ $6.34

Lol. :D

KT
 

Baked

Lifer
Dec 28, 2004
36,052
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Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: Baked
You know Amazon.com sells groceries right?

can of peas (1)....... $0.59

subtotal................... $0.59

shipping.................. $5.75

total........................ $6.34

:roll: Buy $25 for free shipping noob.
 

Perknose

Forum Director & Omnipotent Overlord
Forum Director
Oct 9, 1999
46,759
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Originally posted by: Baked
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: Baked
You know Amazon.com sells groceries right?

can of peas (1)....... $0.59

subtotal................... $0.59

shipping.................. $5.75

total........................ $6.34

:roll: Buy $25 for free shipping noob.

This item not available for Super Saver shipping. ;)
 

Flammable

Platinum Member
Mar 3, 2007
2,602
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Originally posted by: Perknose
Originally posted by: Baked
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: Baked
You know Amazon.com sells groceries right?

can of peas (1)....... $0.59

subtotal................... $0.59

shipping.................. $5.75

total........................ $6.34

:roll: Buy $25 for free shipping noob.

This item not available for Super Saver shipping. ;)

amazon prime
 

mrSHEiK124

Lifer
Mar 6, 2004
11,488
2
0
Originally posted by: Flammable
Originally posted by: Perknose
Originally posted by: Baked
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: Baked
You know Amazon.com sells groceries right?

can of peas (1)....... $0.59

subtotal................... $0.59

shipping.................. $5.75

total........................ $6.34

:roll: Buy $25 for free shipping noob.

This item not available for Super Saver shipping. ;)

amazon prime

Not available for FSSS usually = no Prime
 

mundane

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2002
5,603
8
81
Originally posted by: Flammable
Originally posted by: Perknose
Originally posted by: Baked
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: Baked
You know Amazon.com sells groceries right?

can of peas (1)....... $0.59

subtotal................... $0.59

shipping.................. $5.75

total........................ $6.34

:roll: Buy $25 for free shipping noob.

This item not available for Super Saver shipping. ;)

amazon prime

Don't forget the 15% Subscribe & Save! You'll need those peas at least every other week.
 

QueBert

Lifer
Jan 6, 2002
22,909
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126
Amazon.com + 5 LB bag of Gummy Coke Bottles = WIN! Sister got me 1 of the regular size and 1 of the jumbo gummies for X-mas 2 years ago. I'm not much of a sweets person but Gummy Cokes OWN. And Amazon has huge bags for a fraction of the price they are at any B&M grocery store you can find them at, which is almost none.

 

zeruty

Platinum Member
Jan 17, 2000
2,276
2
81
Amazon Fresh has their own delivery drivers
in certain areas at least
a lesbian ex-coworker of mine delivers for them

Also, albertsons.com Albertson's lets you order groceries online, so I'd imagine their prices are online.

The two originals were webvan.com & homegrocer.com, but both look like they are operated by amazon now.
 

deftron

Lifer
Nov 17, 2000
10,868
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Probably becuase grocery stores are very competitive
and they don't want other stores to have instant access to prices on thier entire inventory.


Grocery stores send people into other stores to covertly gather pricing information.
Usually you take a PDA like thing in, hiding it in your sleeve or pcoket, and scan a bunch of stuff and enter the prices ,shelf location, etc. when no ones looking.


I worked in a grocery store before and have done it.

Have also seen store managers kicking people out that were doing it.
 

GagHalfrunt

Lifer
Apr 19, 2001
25,284
1,997
126
Originally posted by: deftron
Probably becuase grocery stores are very competitive
and they don't want other stores to have instant access to prices on thier entire inventory.


Grocery stores send people into other stores to covertly gather pricing information.
Usually you take a PDA like thing in, hiding it in your sleeve or pcoket, and scan a bunch of stuff and enter the prices ,shelf location, etc. when no ones looking.


I worked in a grocery store before and have done it.

Have also seen store managers kicking people out that were doing it.

It's like a spy vs spy thing from Mad Magazine. If other stores kick out your price checkers you kick out theirs. If they don't hassle yours you don't hassle theirs. It's not as big a deal as it used to be. Sales fliers drive the market more now than everyday pricing on the top 100 items.
 

dullard

Elite Member
May 21, 2001
25,820
4,378
126
At least around here grocery prices change weekly (if not daily). I can't imagine the extra cost to input tens of thousands of rapidly fluctuating prices online. That, and it won't change sales much at all. Online groceries were tried before in the dotcom boom and failed miserably.

Grocery prices vary drastically from store to store. But, the difference doesn't change much over time (unless it is a weekly special, and you can just see that in the newspaper without going online). Just learn which store has what item cheaper. After that, you don't have to continuously check.
 

So

Lifer
Jul 2, 2001
25,923
17
81
I hate to admit it, but I go to Raley's every week or so just because their french bread is waaaay better, and I usually just shop there for the other stuff I need.