Tag: applied technology

It was once felt that robots were too heavy-handed and imprecise to be of benefit to packers and shippers. That was generations ago.

There have been two constants since the dawn of automation: advocates of developing technologies optimistically forecasting that machines will replace human labor, and people within the trade who steadfastly insist it could never happen—at least not broadly.

There’s no question online grocery shopping is now mainstream, but the future may not be smooth sailing.

While convenience is a driver of online grocery sales, it comes with a price, and not everyone is willing to pay it. Click-and-collect appears more popular than delivery, Brick Meets Click research shows, with more than 45 percent of shoppers choosing curbside and/or store pickup.

Year-over-year ecommerce grocery sales remained strong through the first six months of this year, but the growth rate has slowed since the Covid spike that took place in 2020.

Early in the pandemic, ecommerce sales focused on canned and packaged foods along with long-lasting pantry vegetables like onions and potatoes. Since then, consumers have become more comfortable purchasing fresh produce items online.

Covid, that major disruptor, gave a shot in the arm to online grocery sales. Various consumer surveys show that approximately half of all U.S. adults shop for groceries online at least sometimes.

Leveraging technology can provide grocers with a competitive advantage. For many retailers, however, the critical question is which technologies to implement if they’re to move forward successfully.

Amazon has opened newly constructed Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods stores featuring its Just Walk Out (JWO) service and is offering the technology to third-party retailers.

Smart carts are expensive, costing more than $5,000 each, according to media reports.