• October 2, 2012

Peapod.com says it is launching over 100 virtual grocery stores at commuter train stations on the East Coast, including Boston, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Chicago. The internet grocer says the program is the first of its kind in the U.S., and allows shoppers with iPhones, iPads or Android phones to scan a QR code for a free app.

They then shop simply by scanning bar codes of the products displayed in the “aisles” on train platforms, and schedule home delivery.  The company has been testing the concept in Chicago since last May, including ready-to-serve and ready-to-cook mains foods. On the East Coast, it’s partnered with such brands as Coca-Cola, Kimberly Clark, and Proctor & Gamble.

The company says commuters in its markets spend an average of an hour in transit, and that 61% of smartphone owners already use them to research groceries.

Peapod is owned by Ahold, a Dutch company, which also owns such U.S. retailers as Giant and Stop & Shop.