The Save Mart Companies has now extended curbside pickup to every store under its Northern California banners, including the discount-format FoodMaxx locations. Through a partnership with Instacart, the service is available at Lucky and FoodMaxx stores alongside existing Save Mart locations, completing the retailer’s first full rollout across its core brands.
This expansion takes effect on September 16, following a year of digital enhancements for the Modesto-based grocer. Save Mart and Lucky introduced automatic member pricing in June and a record fuel-points promotion in July. The company has also joined other retailers adopting Instacart’s white-label AI shopping assistant, which was announced this month.
Curbside pickup at FoodMaxx represents the first time such a convenience feature has been widely introduced in the discount grocery sector, where e-commerce adoption has historically trailed behind other formats. Customers can place orders through the Lucky or FoodMaxx apps or website, and store team members bring orders directly to their cars and load the groceries.
To drive trial, first-time customers can save $40 off their first three curbside orders of $100 or more on eligible products using code PICKUP40 through Dec. 31.
Vivek Kalpande, the company’s senior vice president of digital and e-commerce, said, “We have a clear focus on continuing to make grocery shopping easier and more convenient for our customers, so we are thrilled to add this service to our Lucky and FoodMaxx stores. We are listening to our customers and evolving with their needs. Our customers can now shop us however they would like, in-store, on the web, or on the app, with a new pickup option that is coupled with amazing promos and deals.”
The retailer manages 200 stores across California, western Nevada, Oregon, and Washington under the Save Mart, Lucky, FoodMaxx, Roth’s, and Chuck’s Fresh Market brands, employing 11,000 associates. Its Cares Foundation has donated more than $6 million to local communities.
