Uber Eats Fights ‘Veggie-flation’ with New Grocery Discounts
▼ Summary
– Uber is launching a “Fresh Days” discount program offering up to 50% off on local fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy to combat rising grocery prices.
– The program will initially launch in the US, Canada, the UK, and several other countries, with the specific discount day and amount varying by market.
– The initiative addresses “veggie-flation,” where fresh fruit and vegetable prices have increased by 2.3% compared to August 2024, driven by rising farm production costs.
– Uber One subscribers will receive the steepest discounts, such as an exclusive 30% off on select fresh items every Tuesday in the US.
– Uber Eats is also introducing new features, including an AI-powered replacement tool, photo-sharing by couriers for out-of-stock items, and a freshness guarantee for spoiled products.
Uber is tackling the sharp rise in grocery costs, often called “veggie-flation,” with a new initiative designed to make fresh food more affordable. The company announced “Fresh Days,” a discount program offering savings of up to 50 percent on local fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy. This program is set to launch in numerous countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Japan, with plans to expand further. The specific discount amounts and the day of the week the promotion runs will be tailored to each individual market.
Shoppers nationwide are facing significant price hikes at the grocery store, with fresh produce being hit particularly hard. Recent data from the Consumer Price Index shows apple prices have jumped nearly 10 percent compared to last year. Overall, the cost of fresh fruits and vegetables continues to climb. This trend is largely driven by escalating expenses for farmers, with projections indicating a continued rise in production costs for the coming year.
Uber aims to ease this financial pressure on consumers through its new program. Uber One subscribers will receive the most substantial benefits, such as an exclusive 30 percent discount every Tuesday on a selection of fresh items in the U.S. This loyalty program is a central part of the company’s strategy to provide value to its most frequent users.
Alongside the Fresh Days discounts, Uber Eats is introducing several other upgrades to improve the customer experience. A new AI-powered tool will now suggest replacements if a specific item a customer ordered is unavailable. To improve communication, couriers can now send photos directly to shoppers to show items that are out of stock or do not meet quality standards. Furthermore, the platform is implementing a freshness guarantee, promising to replace any products that arrive spoiled, damaged, or past their expiration date.
(Source: The Verge)
