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FreshDirect CEO on the company's early mistakes

9/26/2017

Among the biggest cultural mistakes that online grocer FreshDirect made in its early days was trying to balance a strong focus on the bottom line with an interest in delivering optimal customer service, making it unclear whether to save money or to credit customers to make them happy. "When we started saying, 'Don't worry about the credit system, do right by the customers,' we made more customers happy," CEO Jason Ackerman said.

Mastercard, retailers turn to chatbots to enable digital orders

4/20/2017

Mastercard has partnered with Subway, Cheesecake Factory and online grocer FreshDirect to launch Facebook Messenger chatbots that will let customers place digital orders. Consumers are spending their online time with a small number of apps, so it makes sense to reach them in a space like Facebook, where they're already engaged, FreshDirect executive Lisa Kolodny said.

FreshDirect among retailers turning to chatbots for digital orders

4/20/2017

MasterCard has partnered with online grocer FreshDirect and other retailers to launch Facebook Messenger chatbots that will let customers place digital orders. Consumers are spending their online time with a small number of apps, so it makes sense to reach them in a space like Facebook where they're already engaged, FreshDirect executive Lisa Kolodny said.

Retailers turn to chatbots to enable digital orders

4/19/2017

MasterCard has partnered with Subway, Cheesecake Factory and online grocer FreshDirect to launch Facebook Messenger chatbots that will let customers place digital orders. Consumers are spending their online time with a small number of apps, so it makes sense to reach them in a space like Facebook where they're already engaged, FreshDirect executive Lisa Kolodny said.

FreshDirect expanding to Washington, D.C.

3/6/2017

FreshDirect will bring its online grocery service to the Washington, D.C., area, where the retailer is looking to hire a business manager and route delivery driver, according to its website. The move follows a $189 million funding round last year that FreshDirect said would be used in part to expand to additional markets.

FreshDirect heads to the D.C. market

3/6/2017

FreshDirect will bring its online grocery service to the Washington, D.C., area, where the retailer is looking to hire a business manager and route delivery driver, according to its website. The move follows a $189 million funding round last year that FreshDirect said would be used in part to expand to additional markets.

Report: Peapod leads in online grocery basket size

11/29/2016

Newer online grocery players including Instacart and Amazon Fresh are posting higher growth rates, but established brands Peapod and FreshDirect lead in basket size, according to a report by 1010data. Peapod led the segment in the first 10 months of this year, with an average basket size of $147, with FreshDirect second at $105.

FreshDirect takes FoodKick service to more of NYC

10/27/2016

Online grocer FreshDirect will expand its FoodKick delivery service to Manhattan with brand partner Coca-Cola, after launching earlier this year in the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens. Shoppers pick from a list of fresh foods, drinks and staples, and pay a fee of $3.99 for standard delivery or $5.99 for one-hour service.

Shoppers expand their online produce purchases

10/18/2016

Around 16% of consumers buy produce online and their ranks are swelling by 15% to 20% per year, said Nielsen Perishables Group's Sherry Frey at Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit. FreshDirect's Eric Stone advised grocers to take care to pick the freshest produce when filling orders to avoid turning off online shoppers.