Technology
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Micro fulfillment moves underground
Israel's CommonSense Robotics has begun construction on an 18,000-square-foot automated e-commerce facility situated below a skyscraper in Tel Aviv.
By Jeff Wells • July 15, 2019 -
Kroger targets Atlanta for its next automated fulfillment center
The grocer’s fourth Ocado-powered automated warehouse will open just south of the city in 2021.
By Jeff Wells • July 11, 2019 -
Kroger to test program to help customers with depression
A partnership with Myriad Genetics will allow Kroger Health to offer a new trial that helps healthcare professionals provide personalized treatment plans.
By Lauren Manning • July 11, 2019 -
H-E-B to test driverless delivery with Udelv
The Texas grocer's quest for digital dominance continues as it launches a self-driving technology pilot in San Antonio.
By Jessica Dumont • July 11, 2019 -
Opinion5 trends shaping the grocery store of the future
To compete in the Amazon era, grocers have to strike a tricky balance between meeting evolving consumer demands and driving operational efficiency, writes Gerard Szatvanyi of OSF Commerce.
By Gerard Szatvanyi • July 03, 2019 -
Stop & Shop introduces 'Free-Days' to boost in-store visits, app use
Following a disruptive strike in April, the company aims to reestablish customer loyalty and differentiate itself in the competitive Northeast.
By Jessica Dumont • July 02, 2019 -
Fairway Market digitizes local food sourcing
The New York-based grocer has partnered with startup Forager to streamline ordering and payment, and to help add more suppliers.
By Jennifer Sweeney • June 27, 2019 -
Walmart tests autonomous delivery vans for 'middle mile'
"Milk runs," or routes between business locations, are routine and require little decision-making on the part of a driver.
By Emma Cosgrove • June 20, 2019 -
Albertsons gives self-checkout a 2nd chance
Several years after it began removing self-checkouts, the retailer is adding kiosks and upgrading the technology in stores where it currently exists.
By Krishna Thakker • June 18, 2019 -
Ahold Delhaize opens new tech office
The 30,000-square-foot facility in Massachusets includes an innovation lab and incubator to help cultivate retail-focused tech solutions.
By Lauren Manning • June 18, 2019 -
Publix to launch mobile payment feature
While the retailer hasn't confirmed a timeline for rollout, customers can pay for groceries through the app, which could speed up the checkout process.
By Krishna Thakker • June 13, 2019 -
Ocado makes more tech-focused food investments
Following its investment in meal-assembly robotics, the online grocery company will provide funding and expertise to two indoor farming ventures.
By Lauren Manning • June 11, 2019 -
Jet adds dietary preferences for shoppers
The company is the first U.S. retail partner for U.K. technology company Spoon Guru, which uses artificial intelligence and tags to personalize the shopping experience.
By Krishna Thakker • June 11, 2019 -
E-commerce drives hot demand for cold storage space, report says
Total square footage could increase by nearly 50% over the next five years, according to CBRE.
By Lauren Manning • June 06, 2019 -
Are shoppers ready for multimedia meal kits?
Chefs' Menu and So Yummy have partnered on a line of in-store kits that include QR codes linking to videos with cooking instructions and culinary tips.
By Lauren Manning • June 05, 2019 -
The last yard: The final logistics frontier
The last yard takes an item not just to the porch or the shipping dock, but to the refrigerator, the sales floor or a specific spot on the manufacturing plant line where it will be used.
By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • June 03, 2019 -
Walmart launches 'Fast Lane' checkout
The technology is being introduced at an urban prototype store in Toronto, which will also feature an upgraded grocery offering and extended aisles.
By Jessica Dumont • May 31, 2019 -
Coinstar machines will now sell bitcoin
Coinme, a blockchain financial tech company, has partnered with Coinstar to sell bitcoin at 2,200 in-store kiosks across 21 states and Washington, D.C.
By Krishna Thakker • May 28, 2019 -
Walmart names Amazon, Microsoft veteran as CTO
Suresh Kumar held various positions overseeing Amazon's retail systems technology and most recently led display, video, app ads and analytics at Google.
By Samantha Ann Schwartz • May 28, 2019 -
Uber's grocery delivery business now has a home
An engineering hub in Toronto will play a "pivotal role" in the still-developing effort, according to the company, including product development and go-to-market strategy.
By Krishna Thakker • May 23, 2019 -
Deep DiveCan technology extend grocers' reach into food deserts?
Several pilot programs are addressing the problem in innovative ways, but their effectiveness and ability to scale remains questionable.
By Jessica Dumont • May 22, 2019 -
Schnucks to reward shoppers chain-wide
The Midwest grocer first introduced the app-based loyalty program last summer and has continued to upgrade and expand it for all customers.
By Jennifer Sweeney • May 17, 2019 -
Canada's No Frills gives gaming a try
The discounter has launched a video game that allows players to earn loyalty points that they can redeem in real life.
By Lauren Manning • May 16, 2019 -
Target taps startups for summer mentorship
From sustainable food packaging to AI-optimized fresh food supply chain technology, food businesses will be well-represented in the retailer's accelerator and incubator programs this year.
By Jennifer Sweeney • May 08, 2019 -
Deep DiveInside Kozmo.com's online grocery comeback
The company shut down in 2001 but returned to the marketplace a year ago in Los Angeles. Now it's profitable, and new owner Barnaby Montgomery has his eye on expansion.
By Christopher Doering • May 06, 2019
