Stopping at a grocery store on the way home from work is a tradition that’s become so popular that many consumers will order in, for the simple convenience of not dealing with the other customers grabbing groceries as well. In response to this common problem, Peapod.com – an online grocery store that delivers to customers – has created a targeted internet marketing campaign that allows consumers to order groceries from their smartphones.
By putting up signs at commuter rail stations in major cities, the company allows smartphone users to download a free application to their mobile device, scan the barcodes of common grocery items on the sign, input their address and have the products delivered to their home.
“Getting your groceries on the way home from work just got a whole new meaning,” Mike Brennan, COO of Peapod, said in a press release. “With schedules that are more demanding than ever and people spending 200 plus hours a year in transit, our hope is that consumers will take advantage of our virtual stores and mobile app while they’re on the go and enjoy the time saved when they’re at home.”
While the virtual grocery stores can currently be found off of Boston’s commuter rail, more than 100 will pop up at rail stations between the Massachusetts, Washington D.C. and Chicago.
According to BostInnovation, a local Boston publication, MBTA officials said that Peadpod paid $30,000 for a 12-week campaign with signs at 13 different commuter rail stations.
As reported by this blog, mobile media marketing is an ever-evolving medium that has yet to truly take shape. But, campaigns such as this one, which engage users and require them to participate in the marketing activity, are proving to be the most exciting tactics by companies.
For small businesses that wish to upgrade their targeted internet marketing campaigns to be more intensive, engaging and include mobile customers, they may want to partner with experienced digital advertising companies.