TEMPLE, Texas — StrasGlobal, a contract operator of convenience stores, has launched online ordering and curbside delivery through mobile payment company Square for its retailers to help them operate during the COVID-19 crisis. StrasGlobal has piloted online ordering and curbside delivery at two locations.
In early March, StrasGlobal created and shared with the c-store industry a comprehensive, tactical COVID-19 Response Plan to communicate procedures that retailers can quickly implement to protect the health of their teams and customers. StrasGlobal did not have an online ordering and pickup program before COVID-19, but determined that it would be essential for its customers as part of its contactless response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We have been looking at several loyalty and mobile ordering programs for a while, but obviously this crisis required immediate action,” said StrasGlobal President Roy Strasburger. “We were able to internally set up a mobile order and payment system through Square and to launch our proprietary ordereveryday.com website within a few weeks.”
Based on the success of the test at the two stores, StrasGlobal is rolling out online ordering and curbside delivery to more locations over the next month.
OrderEveryday.com offers beverages, snacks, tobacco and essential grocery items. StrasGlobal is developing a foodservice menu. The average order is about double the size of the average in-store purchases, according to the company.
“Operationally, the process has been smoother than we expected. Our customers appreciate curbside delivery during the COVID-19 crisis due to the social distancing aspect, which will likely extend for months, and we anticipate moving into home delivery very shortly,” said COO Perry Kilgo.
“What has been a pleasant surprise for us,” Strasburger said, “is how quickly we have been able to launch this program. It’s a real credit to our operations team that they were able to research and execute this new initiative during the COVID-19 crisis. We think this is an effective model for other small retailers—even single-store operators.”
Square Inc., based in San Francisco, allows retailers to accept card payments using a smartphone or tablet.
Temple, Texas-based StrasGlobal operates 26 locations across six states.
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