Pink Dot

Pink Dot is a quick delivery prepared-to-order grocery dark store based on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California. The store has appeared in several movies and television shows, including HBO's Entourage.[1]

For the LGBT event in Singapore, see Pink Dot SG.
Pink Dot
TypeGrocer
IndustryRetail
Founded1987 (Los Angeles, California)
HeadquartersLos Angeles, California
ProductsDeli, frozen foods, general grocery, snacks, liquor
Websitepinkdot.com

History

Entrepreneur Bill Toro founded the chain in 1987 with the purchase of a single liquor store. His idea to create a delivery-based operation arose from numerous complaints he observed about the traffic in Los Angeles.[2] Pink Dot is a privately owned corporation with Toro retaining 30% control.[2]

In 1996, Pink Dot was referred to as a rapidly expanding grocery delivery company in a Los Angeles Times story that noted the store guaranteed delivery within 45 minutes for a service charge of $9.99.[3] Orders were filled from five warehouses.[3] Company executives at the time predicted home delivery would become a "big part of the changing face of retail."

As Pink Dot prepared to expand into Orange County, it phased out its signature polka-dotted, propeller-topped Volkswagen Beetle delivery cars after market tests showed that Orange County residents wanted their purchases delivered in more low-profile vehicles.[4]

Pink Dot partnered with order takers such as the now-defunct Kozmo.com, which went defunct in the bursting of the dot-com bubble, as a way to expand the product line into items such as Compact Discs and pharmaceuticals.[5]

Late 2000s

In 2008, Pink Dot announced a partnership with Ford Motor Company and began using the Ford Transit Connect, a delivery system that Pink Dot president Sol Yamini described as "room service for your home."[1] Later, Pink Dot partnered with Postmates to extend its offerings to app users.

References
  1. "Transit connect offers cargo space, reliability to grocery service that caters to customers". Retrieved 2009-07-18.
  2. Sarkisian, Nola L. "Lazy people of L.A., rejoice: Pink Dot is expanding". Los Angeles Business Journal. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
  3. George White SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ENTERPRISE; Convenience Stores; Grocery Deliverers Find a Time-Strapped Audience page 1 August 21, 1996 Los Angeles Times
  4. Leslie Earnest O.C. Business Plus; HEARD ON THE BEAT / RETAIL; Pink Dot Dumps Its Funky Beetle July 7, 1999 Los Angeles Times
  5. Sandoval, Greg. "Pink Dot takes grocery Web site national". CNET News. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
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