Systems and methods for virtual markets with product pickup

Abstract

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 grocery ordering and pick-up, comprising the following steps:
 providing an Internet-based virtual supermarket interface accessible to a user by the Internet;   processing a user grocery store order placed on said Internet-based virtual supermarket interface by transmitting said order from said user to a retail/warehouse hybrid procurement center designated by said user where grocery orders are fulfilled at said retail/warehouse hybrid procurement center, said retail/warehouse hybrid procurement center being a retail store in its exterior façade and location with an interior structured as a warehouse with no retail qualities associated therewith; and   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.   
     
     
         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 said virtual supermarket interface.   
     
     
         3 . An Internet-based grocery retail system comprising:
 a computer network including:
 a first computer configured to display an Internet-based virtual supermarket interface for a user to order and purchase retail goods using said first computer; and 
 a second computer configured to receive said order of said user placed on said Internet-based virtual supermarket interface; and 
   a retail/warehouse hybrid procurement center, said retail/warehouse hybrid procurement center comprising:
 a fulfillment warehouse including said second computer; and 
 a pick-up bay, said pick-up bay comprising at least one checkout bay for said user; 
   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;   wherein said retail goods are collected to fulfill said order in said fulfillment warehouse; and   wherein said collected retail goods are provided to said user when said user is in said pickup bay.   
     
     
         4 . The Internet-based grocery retail system of  claim 1 , wherein said virtual supermarket interface display includes a three-dimensional image of a traditional retail supermarket. 
     
     
         5 . The Internet-based grocery retail system of  claim 1 , wherein said virtual supermarket interface is coupled with a help desk with real time chat. 
     
     
         6 . The Internet-based grocery retail system of  claim 1 , wherein said virtual supermarket interface contains a private aisle containing personalized information on a variety of said user's retail preferences. 
     
     
         7 . The Internet-based grocery retail system of  claim 1 , wherein said user can order pre-assembled packages of groceries on said virtual supermarket interface as said order. 
     
     
         8 . The Internet-based grocery retail system of  claim 1 , further comprising: a product scanner configured to categorize and store information regarding products used by said user and to transfer said stored information to said first computer. 
     
     
         9 . The Internet-based grocery retail system of  claim 1 , wherein said pick-up bay comprises:
 a first storage facility which is temperature controlled; and   a second storage facility which is not temperature controlled.   
     
     
         10 . The Internet-based grocery retail system of  claim 1 , wherein said pick-up bay includes a gas pump.