Target debuts next-day delivery service

Target Corp. has entered the fast-growing next-day grocery delivery market.



The discounter on Tuesday launched a pilot for Target Restock, a next-day delivery service for household essentials and dry grocery items ordered online, in its hometown market of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The service, available only to Target REDcard holders, comes with a flat fee of $4.99 per box.



Target Restock comes as such rivals as Walmart and Amazon have been expanding similar services. Notably, it is faster and cheaper than Amazon's Prime Pantry, which has a flat 5.99 delivery fee per box (shipping is free, however, if the order includes five qualifying items). Prime Pantry orders arrive within four business days. Some grocers offer same-day grocery delivery through third-parties, including Instacart and Shipt.



To use the new Target service, shoppers go to the dedicated Target Restock online storefront where they can shop — either by specific item, category or brand — more than 10,000 products, ranging from laundry detergent and paper towels to granola bars and coffee.



As shoppers fill up a box, a grey bar at the top of their screen will show the percentage of space each item in the box has taken up and the percentage of space that's left. (The box is limited to 45 pounds.)



The items will be packaged at a nearby store. If the order is placed by 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday, it will arrive at the customer’s home the next business day.