Systems and methods for virtual markets with product pickup
A system and method for virtual markets with product pickup generally comprised of a three-dimensional user supermarket interface, where a user places an order, and a retail/warehouse hybrid procurement center, comprised of a fulfillment warehouse and a pickup bay, where the order is generally fulfilled, packaged and picked-up by a user.
1. A method for providing an Internet-based grocery ordering and pick-up, comprising the following steps:
providing an Internet-based three-dimensional virtual supermarket interface accessible to a user by the Internet through which said user can browse, search, and manipulate a grocery store item in a plurality of views for purchase and order, wherein said manipulation can comprise changing between a front, a rear, and a side view of said grocery store items;
processing a user grocery store order placed on said Internet-based three-dimensional virtual supermarket interface by transmitting said order to a retail/warehouse hybrid procurement center designated by said user at the time of said order where grocery orders are fulfilled at said retail/warehouse hybrid procurement center, wherein said retail/warehouse hybrid procurement center is a retail store in its exterior façade and location with an interior structured as a warehouse with no retail qualities associated therewith;
delivering said orders to a pick-up bay portion of said retail/warehouse hybrid procurement center where said orders are picked up by said user at a checkout bay portion of said retail/warehouse hybrid procurement center; and
loading said order into said user's vehicle after said user has confirmed payment for said order.
2. The method for providing an Internet-based grocery ordering and pick-up of claim 1 , further comprising:
storing and categorizing information regarding products used by said user in the home by scanning the information of used products with a product scanner and transmitting said information to the three-dimensional virtual supermarket interface.
3. A method for providing an Internet-based grocery ordering and pick-up, comprising the following steps:
providing an Internet-based three-dimensional virtual supermarket interface accessible to a user by the Internet through which said user can browse, search, and manipulate a grocery store item in a plurality of views for purchase and order, wherein said browsing comprises navigating along a representation of an aisle having said grocery store item thereon within a three-dimensional representation of a supermarket, wherein said representation of the aisle having said grocery store items thereon changes as the user navigates away from or towards the aisle;
processing user grocery store orders placed on said Internet-based three-dimensional virtual supermarket interface by transmitting said order to a retail/warehouse hybrid procurement center designated by said user at the time of said order where grocery orders are fulfilled at said retail/warehouse hybrid procurement center, wherein said retail/warehouse hybrid procurement center is a retail store in its exterior façade and location with an interior structured as a warehouse with no retail qualities associated therewith;
delivering said orders to a pick-up bay portion of said retail/warehouse hybrid procurement center where said orders are picked up by said user at a checkout bay portion of said retail/warehouse hybrid procurement center; and
loading said order into said user's vehicle after said user has confirmed payment for said order.
4. The method for providing an Internet-based grocery ordering and pick-up of claim 2 , further comprising:
storing and categorizing information regarding products used by said user in the home by scanning the information of used products with a product scanner and transmitting said information to the three-dimensional virtual supermarket interface.