A Look Inside Hy-Vee's Fast & Fresh Grocery-Convenience Hybrid
By Rebekah Marcarelli on Dec. 12, 2018WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Hy-Vee opened its first Fast & Fresh small-format store in Davenport, Iowa, with plans to open a second in Altoona, Iowa, next year.
The grocer is deviating from its usual 85,000-square-foot format with the new 10,000-square-foot store, but it managed to pack in features such as multiple foodservice stations, a Starbucks and full beer, wine and spirits offerings.
The concept acts as a supermarket with grocery items, including meat, produce, dairy, pantry and bakery offerings, incorporated into a quick-stop convenience-store feel.
The Fast & Fresh format also features 14 gas pumps to further push the new concept’s goal of serving the “busy customer who needs a more convenient grocery and meal experience while on the go.”
The store’s mission is also driven by Mealtime prepared-foods offerings that allow customers to purchase a hot, ready-to-eat meal on the go.
Mealtime offerings also include take-and-heat meal options and Hy-Vee Mealtime Kits.
Sushi is available as another grab-and go offering for those looking for a lighter quick-meal fix.
A Mia Pizza wood-fired pizza station is also available, boasting “pizza in six minutes.”
The store features a full-service Starbucks complete with a drive-thru for customers who are just stopping to fuel up.
In line with the store’s grocery-convenience store hybrid feel, a self-serve soda station provides quick drink options.
A station with frozen beverages and other cold drinks adorns an entire wall of the small-format store.
In addition to nonalcohol self-serve drinks, Fast & Fresh features a craft-beer growler station with several options on tap.
For a smaller store, Fast & Fresh devotes a considerable amount of space to its extensive beer, wine and liquor assortment.
- A version of this story appeared in CSP’s sister brand Winsight Grocery Business.