NATCHEZ — Just ahead of its 49th year of operation, The Markets has added a new way to shop in the Miss-Lou: online ordering.

The Markets, located in Natchez, Vidalia, Ferriday, McComb and Ball, Louisiana, recently launched an online shopping option.

One of the owners of the supermarket chain, Barry Loy, said the online shopping service saves time for customers and benefits the local economy.

“It’s something we’ve been working on for several years,” Loy said. “We’re trying to target the younger, technology savvy audience.”

Outside of the technologically inclined, Loy said online shopping and curbside pickup options benefit two particular audiences: Young parents so busy they do not have time to shop, and elderly men and women who find difficulty in walking and carrying groceries.

And people have been taking advantage of the service — Loy said Natchez Market No. 1 has served more than 50 individual customers through their online shopping program since it went live during the first week of April.

The average, Loy said, is six or so orders per day.

Residents shopping at Natchez Market No. 1  may not even have to get out of the vehicle to get groceries with the new curbside pick-up option.

Curbside pickup will begin in markets other than Natchez No. 1 starting in June.

Making an account only takes a few minutes. Enter name; enter address, enter phone number. Loy said the phone number is not just a way to get in touch if a customer forgets to pick up their groceries — it may even save me money.

Loy said the markets have begun to offer digital coupons, that can be used when you check out inside.

“You go to the digital coupon list and get whole catalog of options,” he said. “The next time you’re in the store, they’ll ask for your phone number and any (coupons) in your eWallet will come off when you purchase.”

Alongside the new coupons and online shopping, Loy said the Markets are updating an old favorite: Loyalty stamps.

At the bottom of the “create your account” screen, there is a little drop down menu with several dozen charities listed.

“We used to have it where you could choose to put your stamps toward yourself or your charity of choice,” Loy said.

The idea with the online “stamps” is the same; 0.5 percent for every dollar spent by registered shoppers at the Markets goes toward the charity of your choice.

On top of the 0.5 percent donation per-dollar, Loy said customers get $5 back every time they spend $500 at the markets.

Scrolling through some of the options online customers will see “Recipes.”

“Customers are always looking for something new to cook for dinner,” Loy said. “This particular program was able to connect the items you need with the recipes.”

When a customer selects a recipe — be it baked French toast, shrimp scampi or potato salad — they see not only the directions to make whatever they have chosen, but also the option to add any of the ingredients to their online shopping cart.

“What we term ‘online shopping’ is a lot more than click and collect,” Loy said. “Make a shopping list, learn a new recipe. It’s really about engaging the community.”

Finally, customers choose a time to pick up their groceries. Once they arrive in the parking lot and park in the online-ordering only spot — they call the phone number on the sign.

A few minutes later, an employee will walk outside with their groceries and give them a receipt in a little envelope.

The online ordering and curbside pick-up options are only available at Natchez Market No. 1 at the moment, Loy said, but in the coming months, he hopes to introduce the concept to more of his stores across the region.

“It’s a way for us to compete with the big boys,” Loy said, “while still keeping the customer first and keeping customers local.”