Feb. 17--Ace Hardware said Tuesday that it is testing same-day delivery at 33 of its more than 4,400 stores as it prepares for a wider rollout of the service.
The Oak Brook-based hardware store cooperative is offering Express Delivery to customers within 5 miles of a participating store when the order is placed online by 1 p.m. local time.
A store associate makes the delivery. There is a $5 fee.
The program, which began Jan. 26, is available at 33 stores in select neighborhoods in Florida, Illinois, Colorado, Maryland, Texas and Arizona. The company said it is an extension of its service that allows shoppers to buy online and pick up in store, which is available at 1,600 Ace stores.
The only Chicago-area store participating in the pilot program is Geneva Ace Hardware, at 617 W. State St. in Geneva.
A growing number of retailers, including Wal-Mart and Target, have been testing same-day delivery to compete with Amazon and Google Express. Macy's, Banana Republic and several malls, including Woodfield Mall and Water Tower Place, were other companies that started same-day delivery services last year using an on-demand car service.
aelejalderuiz@tribpub.com
