It looks like Uber is becoming more of an Amazon competitor as it has just expanded its grocery delivery service, and given it a shiny new brand name.
Uber first launched the pilot test of the “Corner Store” service in Washington D.C. in August delivering a variety of grocery items between 9AM and 9PM. Now, the company has expanded the service and renamed it UberEssentials. The service promises to deliver items to users (who simply pay using their Uber app) in ten minutes or less. That’s pretty fast.
If successful, this could pose a real threat to companies like Amazon and Google who are trying to expand into quicker product delivery and grocery delivery itself. eBay just scaled back its own same-day delivery service, but that wasn’t for groceries or everyday items like UberEssentials. That very market along with Uber’s rising popularity as a convenient taxi alternative could mean big things for this particular offering. The fact that what started as a limited “weeks-long” test is already expanding with a new brand is a pretty good sign.
Amazon has been experimenting with hiring taxis for product delivery. Perhaps Uber and Amazon will look into some kind of partnership at some point. It would certainly fall in line with Amazon’s increasing desire to get products to consumers more quickly, which was punctuated by today’s announcement of new robot-driven fulfillment centers.
Here’s how UberEssential works, according to the website:
– Set your delivery location throughout DC and confirm your address.
– Toggle over to ESSENTIALS in the Uber app and start adding products to your cart.
– Proceed to checkout and place your order. Your driver will notify you when he or she arrives.
– Upon arrival, meet your driver curbside and collect your items.
– As always, no cash required! Only the items you ordered will be charged to your Uber account (no delivery fees. no minimum order.)
It really does sound pretty good from a consumer standpoint. Here’s a look at the inventory list:
HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS
Celebration Mini Lights | 100 lights, 20.6 ft | $10.00 |
9V Batteries | 2 count | $8.00 |
D Cell Batteries | 4 count | $12.00 |
Extension Cable | 6 ft | $6.00 |
Hanukkah Candles | 44 candles | $4.00 |
Scotch Tape | 1 roll | $3.00 |
Tissue Paper | 30 sheets | $12.00 |
Wrapping Paper | 1 roll | $4.00 |
ALLERGY, COLD, & COUGH
Benadryl Allergy Relief Ultratab Tablets | 24 count | $8.00 |
Benadryl Child Cherry Allergy Syrup | 8 fl oz | $12.00 |
Claritin 24 Hour Reditabs Non-Drowsy | 30 count | $22.00 |
DayQuil Cold & Flu | 16 count | $10.00 |
Halls Plus Drops Honey Lemon | 25 count | $3.00 |
NyQuil Cold & Flu | 16 count | $10.00 |
Ricola Lemon Mint | 19 drops | $3.00 |
CANDY & SNACKS
Altoids Curiously Strong Peppermint Mints | 1 tin | $3.00 |
Cheetos Crunchy Cheese Snacks | 2 oz | $1.00 |
Doritos Cool Ranch Chips | 1.25 oz | $1.00 |
Doritos Nacho Cheese Chips | 1.25 oz | $1.00 |
Fritos Original Corn Chips | 2 oz | $1.00 |
Ice Breakers Sugar Free Wintergreen Mints | 2 tins | $4.00 |
Lay’s Barbeque Chips | 1.5 oz | $1.00 |
Lay’s Classic Potato Chips | 1.5 oz | $1.00 |
Skittles | 2 oz | $1.00 |
Smartfood White Cheddar Popcorn | 5/8 oz | $1.00 |
Trident Original Flavor Gum | 1 pack, 12 pieces | $1.00 |
Wrigley’s Spearmint Gum | 2 packs, 5 pieces ea | $1.00 |
DRINKS
Coca-Cola | 12 oz | $1.00 |
Diet Coke | 12 oz | $1.00 |
FIJI Natural Artesian Water | 11.2 oz | $1.00 |
Jose Cuervo Margarita Mix | 33.8 fl oz | $6.00 |
Mr & Mrs T Original Bloody Mary Mix | 1.75 lt | $9.00 |
Red Bull Energy Drink | 8.4 oz | $2.00 |
Red Bull Sugar Free Energy Drink | 8.4 oz | $2.00 |
FIRST AID
Band-aid Variety Pack | 30 bandages | $5.00 |
Chapstick Skin Protectant With Moisturizer | 3 sticks | $4.00 |
Dynarex Instant Cold Pack | 5 inches x 9 inches | $2.00 |
Neosporin | 2 oz | $11.00 |
Purell Original Pump Bottle | 8 oz | $4.00 |
Q-Tips Cotton Swabs | 500 count | $5.00 |
HOUSEHOLD
Bounty Basic Paper Towels Giant Rolls With Prints | 2 rolls | $5.00 |
Cascade ActionPacs Dishwasher Detergent Citrus Scent | 32 count | $8.00 |
Charmin Ultra Strong Toilet Paper Double Roll | 4 rolls | $4.00 |
Clorox Disinfectant Wipes | 35 wipes | $5.00 |
Energizer Max Performance Alkaline AA | 8 pack | $10.00 |
Energizer Max Alkaline AAA | 8 pack | $10.00 |
Glad Trash Bags | 40 count | $11.00 |
Solo Squared 18 Ounce Plastic Cups | 30 count | $5.00 |
Tide-to-Go Pen Instant Stain Remover | 10 ml | $4.00 |
Uber Ping Pong Balls | 3 count | $5.00 |
MEN’S GROOMING
Degree Clinical Plus Anti-Perspirant Deodorant Sport Strength | 2 count, 1.7 oz ea | $9.00 |
Degree For Men Dry Sport Protection Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant Invisible Stick | 2.7 oz ea | $3.00 |
Edge Shaving Gel | 7 oz | $4.00 |
Gillette Mach3 Turbo Cartridges | 8 cartridges | $28.00 |
Old Spice Pure Sport High-Endurance Deodorant | 3 oz | $5.00 |
Schick Hydro 5 Razor | 1 razor | $12.00 |
Schick Hydro 5 Blade Cartridges | 8 count | $22.00 |
PAIN RELIEVERS
Advil Liqui-gel 200 mg | 80 count | $12.00 |
Aleve Liquid Gels 220mg | 20 count | $7.00 |
Dulcolax Laxative Pills | 24 count | $7.00 |
Infant Tylenol 160mg | 30 ml | $10.00 |
Midol Complete Maximum Strength Pain Reliever | 40 count | $9.00 |
Pepto-Bismol | 24 count | $5.00 |
Tylenol Extra Strength Caplets | 10 count | $2.00 |
Zantac 150 | 24 count | $10.00 |
PERSONAL CARE
Breathe Right Nasal Strips | 26 strips | $14.00 |
Centrum Multivitamin / Multimineral Supplement Orange Flavor Chewables | 100 count | $11.00 |
Clear Eyes Maximum Strength Redness Relief | 0.5 oz | $5.00 |
Crest Complete Whitening Scope Outlast Mint Toothpaste | 5.8 oz | $4.00 |
Dial Basics Hypo Allergenic Dermatologist Tested Bar Soap | 3 bars, 3.2 oz ea | $3.00 |
Opti-Free Express Contact Lens Case | 1 count | $2.00 |
Opti-Free Replenish Multi-purpose Disinfecting Solution | 10 oz | $11.00 |
Oral-B Pro-Health Clinical Pro-Flex Medium Toothbrushes | 2 pack | $9.00 |
SEXUAL WELLNESS
Durex Lubricated Latex Extra Sensitive Condoms | 12 pack | $8.00 |
K-Y Jelly Personal Lubricant | 4 oz | $11.00 |
Trojan Sensations Condoms | 12 pack | $11.00 |
WOMEN’S BEAUTY
Degree Shower Clean Invisible Solid Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant |
2.6 oz | $4.00 |
Gillette Venus Blades | 4 cartridges | $16.00 |
Schick Quattro Razor | 1 razor | $10.00 |
Schick Quattro Razor Blades | 8 count | $20.00 |
Secret Outlast Unscented Antiperspirant/Deodorant | 2.7 oz | $6.00 |
Via TNW
Image via Uber