Today in Food Commerce: Walmart, Kroger Expand Grocery Delivery Options

Today in food commerce, Walmart announces a major expansion to its in-fridge delivery program, while restaurant waitstaff gets the robotic treatment. Plus, how QR codes are creating friction rather than removing it for fine dining customers.

Walmart and Amazon Leverage eGrocery Boom to Get a Foot in the Door of Consumers’ Homes

It seems that, when it comes to getting their groceries, consumers’ willingness to sacrifice privacy for convenience may go well beyond what many grocers have imagined thus far. Walmart just announced a major expansion to its program that delivers groceries right to consumers’ refrigerators, a program similar to one that Amazon currently offers with its Key In-Garage deliveries, providing the opportunity to equip consumers’ homes with smart technology.

Restaurant Robotics Shift to Customer-Facing Roles

As labor challenges persist indefinitely, restaurants are looking for solutions that automate every step of the process. While self-service kiosks can remove the need for waitstaff at quick-service restaurants (QSRs), where the consumer wants to grab their food and go, some tech companies are looking to bring robotics into more traditionally customer-service-oriented roles.

Many Restaurant Customers Feel Alienated by QR Code Menus

“Before they even get to order a beverage … [people are] already upset, and that hampers the entire customer experience,” Michele Baker Benesch, president of Menu Men, a company that designs and manufacturers print and digital menus, tells PYMNTS, discussing the drawbacks of the QR code menu.

Canadian Delivery Platform SkipTheDishes Expands Into Groceries

Canadian restaurant delivery platform SkipTheDishes is moving into grocery delivery with its new Skip Express Lane service. After a successful trial run over the summer, Skip Express Lane is expanding across Canada with the opening of 38 fulfillment centers by the middle of this year. The new service delivers groceries and everyday essentials in 25 minutes or less.

Kroger Soft Launches Grocery Delivery in Atlanta

Grocery chain Kroger is continuing its rollout of new customer fulfillment centers (CFC) and expanding home delivery with its latest soft launch in Forest Park, Georgia, from its 375,000-square-foot automated warehouse.