Peapod was ahead of its time
izzet ugutmen/Shutterstock
Back before most Americans had personal computers in their homes, a technology company called Peapod started by brothers Andrew and Thomas Parkinson quietly became the world’s first online grocery delivery service, about 30 years ahead of its time. The company’s innovations would go on to set the stage for the multi-million dollar grocery industry we see today, Stacker reports.
Customers would use a CD-ROM to load the Peapod program on their computers, where they could then place grocery orders directly from a store called Jewel. Just like the grocery delivery apps of today, customers’ orders would be received by the store and sent directly to each shopper’s home. Peapod still operates today as Peapod Digital Labs and is responsible for providing the grocery delivery technology behind some of the industry’s largest brands, including Giant Food, Stop & Shop, and Food Lion. The next time you place a grocery order after coming home from work, there’s a chance you could have the people at Peapod to thank for the convenience.
You May Not Recognize The Very First Online Grocery Service
Chaay_Tee/Shutterstock
By Ashley Delmar/Aug. 3, 2022 11:44 am EST
Peapod was ahead of its time
izzet ugutmen/Shutterstock
Back before most Americans had personal computers in their homes, a technology company called Peapod started by brothers Andrew and Thomas Parkinson quietly became the world’s first online grocery delivery service, about 30 years ahead of its time. The company’s innovations would go on to set the stage for the multi-million dollar grocery industry we see today, Stacker reports.
Customers would use a CD-ROM to load the Peapod program on their computers, where they could then place grocery orders directly from a store called Jewel. Just like the grocery delivery apps of today, customers’ orders would be received by the store and sent directly to each shopper’s home. Peapod still operates today as Peapod Digital Labs and is responsible for providing the grocery delivery technology behind some of the industry’s largest brands, including Giant Food, Stop & Shop, and Food Lion. The next time you place a grocery order after coming home from work, there’s a chance you could have the people at Peapod to thank for the convenience.
Customers would use a CD-ROM to load the Peapod program on their computers, where they could then place grocery orders directly from a store called Jewel. Just like the grocery delivery apps of today, customers’ orders would be received by the store and sent directly to each shopper’s home.
Peapod still operates today as Peapod Digital Labs and is responsible for providing the grocery delivery technology behind some of the industry’s largest brands, including Giant Food, Stop & Shop, and Food Lion. The next time you place a grocery order after coming home from work, there’s a chance you could have the people at Peapod to thank for the convenience.
