Slurpees on demand? 7-Eleven testing home delivery

Dallas – 7-Eleven’s primary value proposition is convenience, and the retailer is extending that proposition to embrace one of retail’s hottest trends: on-demand home delivery.

The chain has entered into a deal with San Francisco-based startup technology company Postmates whereby select stores in San Francisco and Oakland, Calif., are now offering on-demand delivery through Postmates iOS, Android or Web app. An assortment of products, ranging from hot foods and sweets to cold beverages and other convenience items, are covered under the arrangement, with the products delivered by Postmates to customers in just an hour or less.



This is 7-Eleven's first official corporate foray into delivery and fulfills a component of the company's omnichannel strategy to assist time-pressed customers while transforming its outlets from convenience to convenient, neighborhood stores.



"7-Eleven's founder, Joe C. Thompson Jr., used to say 7-Eleven's mission was to 'give customers what they want, when and where they want it'," said Raja Doddala, 7-Eleven's VP of innovation and omnichannel strategy. "Through the modern-day technology that Postmates provides, we can fulfill that promise in a way we haven't done before. The program should work well for us because it appeals to our customers who are more on-the-go, connected 24/7 and prefer fast-paced, urban living.”



7-Eleven expects to expand delivery later this year to other areas where it has a high density of stores, such as Austin, New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Chicago.



“Through our partnership with Postmates, 7-Eleven's reach extends beyond our physical stores," Doddala said. "The program should work well for us because it appeals to our customers who are more on-the-go, connected 24/7 and prefer fast-paced, urban living.”



Postmates already has partnerships with McDonalds, Starbucks and Chipotle.