Peapod.com Is First to Launch Virtual Grocery Stores

Peapod.com announced the launch of more than 100 virtual grocery stores at commuter rail stations across the U.S., including Dedham.  The virtual store technology features a billboard of "larger than life" grocery aisles on the train platform.

Now if you're at Dedham Corp. Station and you forgot to buy some items for dinner, you can now order them at the platform and have it delivered to your house.

Commuters with iPhones, iPads or Android phones can simply scan a QR code on the billboards to download a free PeapodMobile app.  Then you can start shopping on the spot by scanning bar codes of the products displayed in the “aisles.”

"On average, commuters in Peapod markets spend an hour in transit to and from work each day," a Peapod representative said. "With the Peapod virtual grocery stores, [customers] can get orders started, make selections from Peapod’s entire online store, and schedule home deliveries – for next day or even several days or weeks in advance—making the most of their train rides."

For orders over $100 the shipping cost will be $6.95.  For orders less than that, the shipping with cost $9.95.

Unfortunately, the virtual store does require a minimum order of $60.  So if you forgot to buy that gallon of milk, you would still need to head to your local grocery store after work.