Food and drug retailer Albertsons has launched the Flash grocery service, which enables customers to receive their DriveUp & Go and delivery orders in as little as 30 minutes.

Through Albertsons’ websites and mobile apps, shoppers can select up to 35 items for Flash pickup or delivery.

The service is available at more than 2,000 locations, including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, ACME and Tom Thumb banner stores.

Each order will be delivered within 30 to 50 minutes, while the pick-up service from local stores can be completed in 30 minutes or under.

The fees per order for Flash pickup and Flash delivery are $3.95 and $11.95 respectively.

The retailer offers a complimentary Flash pickup service and a discounted Flash delivery fee of $2 per order to members of the FreshPass programme, an exclusive unlimited grocery delivery service.

FreshPass also covers alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, frozen items and food that requires extra preparation time.

Albertsons' e-commerce and fulfilment senior vice-president Stephen Menaquale stated: “Shoppers today want fast pickup and delivery, and Albertsons is meeting this expectation with our new Flash service.

"Whether you’re missing a key ingredient for tonight’s dinner, or need a healthy snack for your kid’s lunchbox, families can turn to Albertsons to quickly replenish their food and household staples.”

Kroger and Albertsons recently agreed to divest some of their businesses to C&S Wholesale Grocers as they aim to complete their previously announced merger.