Technology
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Courtesy of Chowbotics
Chowbotics adds contactless ordering feature to salad-making robot
The robotics startup has also expanded the range of meal choices its "Sally" machine is able to prepare.
By Sam Silverstein • Oct. 27, 2020 -
Courtesy of Whole Foods Market
Deep DiveGrocery pickup is here to stay. Here's how it's evolving
As grocers continue to expand their pickup offerings, emerging technologies promise to solve pain points like labor shortages and inventory management.
By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 26, 2020 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Shipt
TrendlineLast mile
Retailers have been trying to solve the last mile of order fulfillment for years, and now the pandemic has added new urgency to their efforts.
By Grocery Dive staff -
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market
Fresh Thyme aims to dig deeper on product education
The specialty grocer said new scannable shelf tags in its Natural Living department will offer more information on each product and make it easier for shoppers and employees to understand their benefits.
By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 23, 2020 -
Courtesy of Simbe Robotics
New rival shelf-scanning robots roll out for retailers
Simbe Robotics has unveiled a new version of its Tally robot, while Brain Corp is expanding a pilot at Sam's Club with shelf-scanning tech atop autonomous floor cleaners.
By Sam Silverstein • Oct. 22, 2020 -
Courtesy of Blendid
Walmart brings smoothie-making robot Blendid to California store
The automated system, which accepts mobile orders and QR code scans, can churn out 45 drinks per hour.
By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 20, 2020 -
Sam Silverstein/Grocery Dive
Albertsons' digital sales remain sky-high in Q2
Sales in the channel grew 243%, driven by a more than 1,000% increase in pickup. The grocer is also stepping up investments in micro-fulfillment centers, with four under construction to go with two now in operation.
By Sam Silverstein • Oct. 20, 2020 -
Permission granted by Whisk
Kroger partners with Whisk to expand shoppable recipe base across 35 states
The grocer is now integrated into Whisk's platforms, Samsung smart appliances and major third-party sites, letting customers shop ingredients for delivery or pickup.
By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 19, 2020 -
Permission granted by Albertsons
Albertsons piloting contactless pickup lockers inside select stores
The self-serve lockers will be installed at some Jewel-Osco stores in Chicago and Safeway locations in the San Francisco Bay Area later this year.
By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 19, 2020 -
Courtesy of Kroger
Deep DiveCan digital marketplaces feed grocery shoppers' growing e-commerce appetite?
Kroger's marketplace could be the first of many new platforms in the coming years, but experts wonder if there's enough consumer demand for an endless-aisles strategy.
By Jessica Dumont • Oct. 19, 2020 -
Courtesy of Instacart
Instacart brings in Silicon Valley veterans to oversee HR and product development
The e-commerce company has recruited executives from LinkedIn and YouTube to fill top positions as it continues to expand.
By Sam Silverstein • Oct. 19, 2020 -
Ocado
Ocado acquires stake in robotics startup focused on click-and-collect tech
The U.K.-based e-grocer and fulfillment company said Myrmex's automated pickup technology integrates with its current suite of solutions.
By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 16, 2020 -
Permission granted by Instacart
Instacart has introduced 60K seniors to online grocery shopping in the past month
The company's new Senior Support Service is helping customers aged 60 and older create accounts, fill carts and build confidence with the platform ahead of cold and flu season.
By Jessica Dumont • Oct. 14, 2020 -
Courtesy of Jay Sousa
Deep DiveHow the pandemic has sped up autonomous grocery delivery
Four tech firms say growing demand and a shifting regulatory environment are accelerating rollouts of drones and driverless vehicles.
By Jeff Wells • Oct. 14, 2020 -
Courtesy of Caper
Caper unveils counter-sized AI checkout system
The Caper Counter, based on the company's Caper Cart, detects products using machine-vision cameras and is geared toward small-format retailers.
By Sam Silverstein • Oct. 14, 2020 -
Courtesy of PRNewsfoto/The Kroger Co.
Kroger's newest tool turns photos into recipes via Twitter
The grocer is pitching the AI-based service, known as Chefbot, as a way to lower food waste.
By Sam Silverstein • Oct. 13, 2020 -
Courtesy of Business Wire/C-Store Master
C-store distributor teams up with Chinese tech firm on robotic warehouse
More than 70 robots will boost automation efficiency at the 120,000-square-foot facility, which broke ground last week in Huntsville, Alabama.
By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 13, 2020 -
Berry giant Driscoll's partners with Plenty to grow strawberries indoors
The tie-up will allow the supplier to grow a more reliable crop and expand into regions that have historically been difficult to serve.
By Christopher Doering • Oct. 13, 2020 -
Christopher Doering
GoPuff raises $380M for expansion, names C-suite execs
Former Lowe's CMO Jocelyn Wong joins as chief customer officer, suggesting the delivery service has big goals as a distribution channel for impulse items.
By Robert Williams • Oct. 12, 2020 -
Rohit Tandon via Unsplash
E-commerce ramp-up in 2019 helped food retailers face coronavirus challenges, FMI research shows
Challenges retailers faced last year, like supply chain disruptions, rising employee costs and high transaction fees, will likely continue, according to the findings and industry experts.
By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 12, 2020 -
Courtesy of Whole Foods Market
Deep DiveExploring the future of grocery e-commerce
What many thought would take years to achieve has happened in just a few months. Grocery Dive looks at the top trends, strategies and investments that retailers are evaluating to try to stay ahead of consumer demand.
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Courtesy of Takeoff Technologies
Deep DiveMFCs promise to revolutionize grocery e-commerce. That doesn't mean they're right for everyone.
Grocers face unique e-commerce challenges that make deciding whether to automate fulfillment operations a complex choice, experts say.
By Sam Silverstein • Oct. 12, 2020 -
Courtesy of Standard
Checkout-free convenience store opens on Texas college campus
The outlet at the University of Houston uses technology from Standard, which is among a group of companies bringing cashierless systems to grocers and other retailers.
By Sam Silverstein • Oct. 09, 2020 -
Krishna Thakker/Grocery Dive
Amazon's grocery lead on navigating a 'complicated' industry
In a Q&A with Recode on Wednesday, Stephenie Landry said the company has adopted grocers' tried-and-true focus on "consistent quality" while relying on its tech prowess to stand out.
By Jeff Wells • Oct. 08, 2020 -
Courtesy of Weee
Weee aims to be the top grocer for Asians in North America
The online company plans to keep expanding across the U.S. while growing its customer base and diversifying its product offerings.
By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 07, 2020 -
Rohit Tandon via Unsplash
Tech firms team up on omnichannel commerce program for local grocers
Rosie, AppCard and ShoptoCook are linking up in an effort to help small retailers compete with the likes of Walmart, Kroger and Amazon.
By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 06, 2020
