SkipTheDishes goes head to head with c-stores, ramping up Skip Express Lane across Canada

SkipTheDishes today announced the nation-wide expansion of Skip Express Lane, its grocery and household item delivery service.

The rollout of Skip Express Lane across Canada involves the launch of 38 new fulfillment centres by mid-2022 from coast to coast, delivering bringing snacks, household goods, groceries and fresh produce to millions of Canadians in 25 minutes or less. 

Skip Express Lane stores are now active in Winnipeg, London, Ont. and downtown Toronto, with Edmonton and Calgary locations opening next week. This national expansion follows piloting Skip Express Lane stores in Winnipeg and London in July and August 2021.

According to the company, typical convenience options on the Skip network have around 400 items, while Skip Express Lanes will feature more than 1,500 items, including baby products, personal care items and everyday essentials at grocery store prices, along with exclusive products from Skip restaurant partners and local businesses.

At scale, the company said Skip Express Lane is expected to create approximately 1,000 jobs across the country. Skip also works directly with local vendors and companies in each Skip Express Lane location to bring curated local products and favourites to the network.

"We're thrilled for Skip Express Lane to bring even more value to our customers across Canada, helping Skip to become an indispensable part of the lives of Canadians with an entirely new delivery service," says Kevin Edwards, CEO of SkipTheDishes. "To us, Skip Express Lane is not just a convenient option for Canadians, but it's another way we are working hard to support local businesses through the pandemic and beyond."

In Winnipeg, more than 70% of customers who have ordered from Skip Express Lane have returned to place another order.

"Skip Express lane fills an important gap in the market. Canadians will now be able to get everyday essentials and grocery items delivered to your door in 25 minutes or less," said Howard Migdal, COO of SkipTheDishes. "Even during peak demand when we're processing several orders a minute, orders are packed and out the door in under 10 minutes for delivery."

Skip Express Lane opened its first fulfillment centre in Skip's hometown of Winnipeg on July 29, 2021. Each fulfillment centre will operate seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., with delivery fees starting at $1.99, or free delivery for purchases over $25.

The move comes as DoorDash announces a similar rollout of its DashMart convenience and grocery stores across Canada.  The San Francisco, Calif. company says it has opened DashMart locations in Toronto, London, Kitchener, Vancouver and Winnipeg, with plans to expand across Canada.