Online Delivery Service Inks S. Calif. Pact

A bricks-and-clicks alliance between WhyRunOut.com and Stater Bros. Markets in Southern California will pit the two businesses against the likes of Streamline.com, Webvan and other Internet-only grocers attempting to enter or gain a foothold in the market. Under the deal, WhyRunOut will use Stater Bros. 155 stores in Orange, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, northern San Diego and Kern counties as fulfillment centers for groceries, meat and deli products. The site will will handle ordering and delivery. Like Streamline, WhyRunOut also delivers dry cleaning, rented videos and processed film to customers.