Google Adds Fresh Foods To Its Grocery Delivery Service

Google is taking its game a notch higher after it announced that it will deliver fresh foods through the Google Express grocery delivery service. The service has already debuted in some selected areas of San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The Daily Mail reported that Google Express, the tech giant's grocery delivery service, will offer same-day delivery for fresh groceries like fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, dairy, and frozen foods. Google Express was launched in 2013 offering non-perishable goods only.

'Everyone wants milk delivered with their cookies, that's why we're excited to start adding fresh groceries to Google Express," product manager Prabhu Balasubramanian said in a blog post. "Whether you need to restock your pantry, get some ingredients for tonight's dinner, or just need some help carrying the heavier stuff - all you have to do is place your order, and we'll take care of the rest."

In San Francisco, the trial for the fresh grocery delivery service has kicked off in Financial District, Mission and Potrero Hill. For Los Angeles, trial regions include the Pacific Palisades, Westwood and Marina Del Rey.

Google Express' perishable goods for San Francisco will come from Smart & Final, Costco and Whole Foods. On the other hand, Costco, Smart & Final and Vicente Foods will be the source of fresh groceries for Los Angeles. Payments can be done online using Google Payments or through an Android and iOS app.  

The deliveries for perishables will cost $2.99 for members and $4.99 for non-members, with a minimum purchase of $35. The fresh groceries will be delivered within two hours.

Google said that they have tested their delivery service for several months. If the pilot goes well, the service will be available to other areas.

According to USA Today, online grocery delivery has proliferated lately after struggling in the past years due to the high costs and low profit margins. Amazon.com, which runs AmazonFresh, and Instacart are among of Google's strongest online grocery competitors. Amazon has also expanded its grocery delivery program to include fresh foods.