Today in Food Commerce: Amazon Expands ‘Just Walk Out’ Checkout; Spirits Brands Create RTD Cocktails

Today in food commerce, Constellation Brands invests in creating ready-to-drink (RTD) premium cocktails, and DoorDash announces a white-label online grocery partnership. Plus, PYMNTS data reveal consumers’ preference for well-known restaurant brands.

Consumers Want to Purchase from Restaurants Whose Names They Recognize

When deciding between restaurants, most consumers are not looking to chance it with an unknown entity. Research from the March/April edition of PYMNTS’ Digital Divide series, The Digital Divide: Regional Variations In US Food Ordering Trends And Digital Adoption, found that the majority of consumers take into account familiarity with the restaurant’s name when weighing their options.

Brands Invest in RTD Cocktails as Consumers Opt for at-Home Experiences

On a call with analysts Thursday (April 7) discussing the company’s fourth-quarter and fiscal-year 2022 earnings results, Constellation Brands, parent of a range of popular beer, wine and spirits brands including Modelo Especial and Svedka Vodka, among others, shared its increased focus on ready-to-drink cocktails.

Walmart Hikes Driver Pay, Launches Private Fleet Program

Walmart is giving pay raises to the roughly 12,000 drivers in its fleet, the retail giant announced on its website Thursday (April 7).

Grocery Roundup: Amazon ‘Just Walk Out’ Expands to Virginia; Giant Launches Interactive End Caps

Amazon grows its frictionless checkout presence, Giant Food boosts its ad capabilities, and DoorDash announces a white-label fulfillment partnership for grocers.