Delhaize: No plans for home delivery

Belgian supermarket Delhaize has no plans to introduce home delivery for its customers, according to its general director of operations in Luxembourg.

Last December the chain introduced an online store, allowing customers to order their shopping via a web platform.

But the service requires customers to collect the goods themselves directly from the stores, a feature which some time-strapped residents may find inconvenient.

Patrick Verhamme told wort.lu English team that the chain had given thought to delivering shopping to customers' homes but would not introduce this service because of a number of limitations.

He said: “We're doing this in Belgium but at the moment we do not want to do that in Luxembourg.

"There are economical limitations to doing that because of the expenses involved and also customers needs. There are people who are older, those who may have difficulties walking or going to the shop because they have physical disabilities.

"Generally speaking these customers only place small orders. That's the limitation. Also, to give home deliveries we need to give a delivery time range between 1pm and 4pm.

"That can be really inconvenient for some people. Whereas with the Delhaize Direct service it is more convenient for the customer because they can come and collect their shopping at a time that suits them from 1pm until the store closes.”

Mr Verhamme would not comment on the take-up of the Delhaize Direct service, saying simply that the group is happy with the results though online sales are far from overtaking in-store turnover.

Last week the chain opened its 38th store in Luxembourg and eight shop in the capital, located at 1, route d'Arlon, in Strassen.

The 1900 m2 space is a landmark in shopping design, for its striking high wooded ceilings and lack of obstructive no columns. It is also expected to generate some 40 new full-time jobs in the city.

It was the first of three expected to open this year, the second store will be in Dudelange with a planned opening date of around October.

The location of the third store is still to be confirmed. Mr Verhamme said that this followed a strategy to open at least three branches in the Grand Duchy each year.

He said: “We plan to continue growing by up to three stores per year for the next couple of years at least. Of course at a certain moment we will reach saturation point but where we can we offer different services from the larger supermarkets to the small, convenient shop 'n' go shops."