Pickup Locations
Pickup locations are where customers collect their orders. Setting up convenient, well-organized pickup locations is crucial for customer satisfaction and market success.
Overview
LocallyGrown supports multiple pickup locations per market, allowing you to serve customers across different neighborhoods or towns. Each location can have its own schedule, contact person, and special instructions.
Setting Up Pickup Locations
Adding a New Location
- Navigate to your market's Locations page
- Click "Add New Location"
- Fill in the required information:
- Location Name - Choose a clear, recognizable name
- Address - Complete street address for customer navigation
- Contact Person - Name and phone number for the location manager
- Pickup Days - Select which days customers can pick up orders
- Pickup Hours - Set the time window for pickups
- Add optional details:
- Description - Brief description of the location
- Special Instructions - Parking, entrance, or other location-specific guidance
- Photo - Image to help customers identify the location
- Save and activate the location
Location Requirements
Consider these factors when choosing pickup locations:
- Accessibility - Easy to find with adequate parking
- Security - Safe location for storing orders temporarily
- Staffing - Someone available during pickup hours
- Storage - Refrigeration for perishable items if needed
- Customer convenience - Located where customers naturally travel
Types of Pickup Locations
🏪 Retail Partnerships
Examples: Local businesses, cafes, bookstores, community centers
Benefits: Existing foot traffic, professional setting
Considerations: May need to share space, follow business rules
🏛️ Community Spaces
Examples: Schools, churches, libraries, community centers
Benefits: Central locations, community support
Considerations: May have limited availability, need permission
🏠 Residential Locations
Examples: Private homes, farm locations
Benefits: Flexible scheduling, lower overhead
Considerations: Privacy concerns, limited capacity
🚚 Mobile/Pop-up Locations
Examples: Rotating locations, special events
Benefits: Can serve different areas, creates excitement
Considerations: More complex logistics, communication challenges
Managing Pickup Operations
Order Organization
- Sort by customer name - Alphabetical order speeds up pickup
- Use order numbers - Each order has a unique number for tracking
- Separate cold items - Keep refrigerated items in coolers
- Group by grower - Consider organizing by farm for easier packing
Pickup Process
- Customer arrives - They provide their name or order number
- Locate order - Find their bagged/boxed order
- Verify items - Quickly confirm order contents
- Mark as picked up - Update order status in the system
- Handle special requests - Address any customer questions or issues
Customer Experience Best Practices
Clear Communication
- Pickup instructions - Include detailed directions in order confirmations
- Visual aids - Photos of the entrance or pickup area
- Contact information - Provide phone number for pickup day questions
- Signage - Clear signs marking the pickup area
Order Preparation
- Bag orders properly - Use sturdy bags or boxes
- Label clearly - Customer name and order number on each bag
- Separate items - Keep different growers' items organized
- Include receipts - Printed or digital order summary
Managing Multiple Locations
Centralized Coordination
- Location managers - Designate responsible person for each site
- Communication protocols - Regular check-ins and updates
- Consistent standards - Same pickup procedures across all locations
- Performance monitoring - Track success metrics for each location
Distribution Logistics
- Order routing - Efficiently distribute orders to locations
- Transportation - Plan delivery routes for multiple sites
- Timing coordination - Ensure orders arrive before pickup windows
- Backup plans - Have contingencies for delivery delays