Another grocery delivery service enters the market

Shipt is joining services such as Peapod and Instacart in offering same-day delivery service.

According to Shipt spokesperson Julie Coop, service will begin Sept.6. The Shipt shopper can shop for grocery and household items at a local Weis Markets and have the items delivered in as little as an hour or up to a day later.

The ordering and payment are all handled through the Shipt app.

Coop said the service is membership-based. Rather than charging per delivery, Shipt customers pay an annual fee of $99, which is discounted to $49 during a limited introductory period.

All deliveries are then free as long as the customer orders at least $35 in goods. Otherwise, there is a $7 fee.

Tipping is optional; there is a tipping option on the app.

“We’re all about people first,” Coop said. “We use local people who know the area and know the local shops.”

She said shoppers can keep in touch with the customer through text messaging in case the store is out of something, or they feel the list might be missing an item.

She gave the example of an order she placed, when her shopper noticed she had ordered nacho chips, but no salsa or dip.

Her shopper messaged her to find out if she wanted anything to go with the chips.

The Shipt service will be available in most of the Greater Lehigh Valley where Weis stores are located. Consumers can check their zip code on the website to see if delivery is available to their home.

Shipt, which is hiring, is owned by Target Corp.