Technology: Page 2

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

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

Explore the Trendline➔

Trendline

Last 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

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

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

Deep Dive

Can 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

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 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

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

Deep Dive

How 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

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

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

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

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

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

Deep Dive

Exploring 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.

Deep Dive

MFCs 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

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

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

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

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

Column

Pardon the Disruption: 5 e-commerce trends supercharged by the pandemic

A look at a few developments, from the rise of apps to shifting strategy on fulfillment, that promise to stick around long after the virus has dissipated.

By Jeff Wells • Oct. 05, 2020

Ocado faces lawsuit from AutoStore over fulfillment center tech

The U.K.-based grocery automation company, which is building fulfillment centers for Kroger, is accused of infringing on patents for robotic systems used to pick and pack groceries.

By Sam Silverstein • Oct. 05, 2020

Albertsons adds meal-planning service to its digital menu

The eMeals platform helps customers plan meals and can send ingredients directly to their digital shopping carts.

By Sam Silverstein • Oct. 02, 2020

ShopRite reimagines deli counter mobile app with more items for pickup

The grocer's Order Express app has more features to allow shoppers to customize and order online.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 01, 2020