Kroger confirms it's closing in the United States and it's final

The American chain Kroger has decided to close its Kroger Ship platform, which allowed customers to purchase grocery products and other items from third-party sellers with home delivery. This decision affects all shoppers in the United States: the supermarket chain has opted to end this service of selling non-food products. The closure of Kroger Ship, which ceased operations in March of this year, marks the end of an initiative that failed to establish itself within the company's strategy.

No specific details were given about the reasons behind the closure. Even so, Kroger has emphasized that it will continue to offer grocery products through its traditional delivery and in-store pickup channels. However, consumers will no longer be able to access third-party items through this online platform.

An expansion that didn't meet expectations

Kroger Ship was launched in 2018 as an option for customers to purchase both grocery products and items from other categories. In 2020, the offering expanded to include products from third-party sellers, such as toys, home goods, and seasonal items. The idea was to compete with other e-commerce giants that already offered a wider range of products.

Despite the expansion of the offering, the demand for this service didn't grow as expected. Although the sale of non-food products seemed like a good idea, consumers didn't fully adopt this model. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a shift in shopping preferences, with consumers turning to faster delivery options or preferring to pick up products directly in stores.

The impact of the closure on the delivery and e-commerce industry

The closure of Kroger Ship reflects a broader shift in the e-commerce sector, which faces fierce competition. Although Kroger has been successful in selling its grocery products, it didn't keep its position in selling third-party products online. The service, which relied on common carriers like FedEx and UPS, wasn't profitable due to the low demand for additional products.

This adjustment in Kroger's strategy comes at a time when other retail chains are also reconsidering their approach to selling non-food products online. Competition in e-commerce has intensified, and at the same time, consumer preferences have changed.

Kroger's future: more focus on what it does best

Despite the closure of its third-party product platform, Kroger continues to bet on e-commerce in general. The supermarket chain continues to invest in improving the shopping experience through its home delivery and in-store pickup services. Kroger also continues to innovate in its distribution, seeking new ways to improve customer service.

Although Kroger closes this chapter in its history, the company remains committed to online commerce. But this time, with a more focused approach on its strengths: offering fresh, quality grocery products at competitive prices.