Darkstore Inc., a behind-the-scenes fulfillment company, has released its first consumer-facing app, promising two-hour delivery of products from sneakers to olive oil.
The app, called FastAF, lists goods from established companies such as Nike Inc. as well as startups that market directly to consumers through the web, like Parachute Home Inc., which offers linens and other household wares. Darkstore uses DoorDash Inc. to handle the actual deliveries.
Anything sold on FastAF comes from a Darkstore fulfillment center, but not every Darkstore client is available on the app.
FastAF arrives as consumers increasingly shift their shopping online, driven by social distancing and other measures to fight the coronavirus pandemic. U.S. e-commerce sales are expected to grow 18% to $709.8 billion this year, according to market research company eMarketer.
The trend has been a windfall for delivery giants including FedEx Corp. , whose FedEx Ground business handles deliveries for retailers such as Target Corp. FedEx posted the highest quarterly revenue in its history for the three months ended Aug. 31.