Bradley Heinz on LinkedIn: Schnucks: Out-Innovating Amazon, Walmart And Everybody Else In Grocery (2024)

News out of Trader Joe's last week: No self-checkout machines. Ever.No one is particularly is surprised by this news so I've been thinking about why it is still so newsworthy beyond the fact that the move runs counter to rather widespread adoption of self-checkout elsewhere.For me, it is interesting because of definitive nature of the statement and the confidence and clarity in the voice of the CEO when speaking about the decision. And his being surprised that anyone would decide differently.His reaction reminds me of the chapter about Kroger in the book, "Good to Great" by Jim Collins in which the author recalls interviews he had with their executives. Like Trader Joe's CEO, the leaders from Kroger in the 90s didn't quite understand why anyone would be surprised by their actions to overhaul 100 percent of their stores since data from their customers at that time clearly showed a growing preference for superstores.The wonderful thing about customer-centric companies is that they know their customers well enough to know what they value. And customer-centric companies start by being employee-first.Being employee-first does not necessarily mean no self-checkouts, but it does mean knowing what your customer values about shopping with you, being agile enough to adapt if that changes, and providing employee support where it matters.✅ Do they value the human touch and the ability to check out with an employee? ✅ Did they previously prefer in-store but now need quick BOPIS service?✅ Do they value specialized help and need style or nutrition advice?There are lots of ways to find out, especially through data, and the answers will be different for every company.But the results of finding out are the same: the ability to make clear, consistent, customer-centric decisions that might make the news but will surprise exactly no one.*****Any thoughts on this move by Trader Joe's? Or if you have no opinion, what's your favorite Trader Joe's product? (I'll go first - I love their frozen Pad Thai and dumplings)#groceryshop2023 #datadriven #grocery #retail #composablecommerce

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Hello LinkedIn Fam!Here's what happened on this date, in the history of tech 🚀On June 26, 1974, The very first item was scanned with a barcode_a 10-pack of Juicy Fruit gum, in a supermarket in Troy, Ohio.Before barcodes, it was quite chaotic.As stores struggled to keep track of individual items And couldn't charge customers accurately. But then, the invention of the Universal Product Code UPC saved the day. Each product got a unique 12-digit number turned into fancy black bars and white spaces called barcodes.The initial success at Marsh Supermarket paved the way for global adoption. Today, UPCs have become an integral component of the shopping experience, spanning small-scale retailers to multinational chains. Truly, a historic milestone!The UPC system elevated inventory management, ensured pricing precision, and expedited the checkout process. With enhanced product tracking capabilities, retailers were empowered to serve customers more effectively.So, the next time you scan an item at the checkout, remember this epic moment in history!....#todayinhistory #technology #softwareengineering #tech

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Today's grocers are faced with the question of how to improve their #eGrocery processes, from picking to staging and operations in the #LastMile.In a new #blog post, Phononic's SVP of Fulfillment Sales, Dana Krug, dives into how grocers can optimize #fulfillment processes with sustainable #SolidState solutions that ensure optimal product temperatures throughout all parts of the journey. Check out the full blog post here: https://lnkd.in/guJw6-Px

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⚠️ Is Kroger Moving Toward Total Self-Checkout? 👀🛒 The grocer recently converted one of its Tennessee locations to self-checkout ONLY, following its first test of a cashier-less concept in Dallas back in 2021.🙋♂️ Staff members are still available to assist shoppers, and no jobs have been eliminated as part of the conversion. This move is in line with other retailers like Walmart and Dollar General piloting completely self-checkout driven stores; Amazon also is continuing to test its "Just Walk Out" technology too.🧠 Here are a few thoughts about it from our BrainTrust:⚡️ David Naumann: “Until scanless, just walk out, technology is perfected and cost effective, I see the need for some staffed lanes to avoid alienating some customers – just like airports.”⚡️ David Spear: “The tech that powers self-checkout systems is getting better and smarter every day, especially as new AI models are embedded in software that runs the machines.”⚡️ Neil Saunders: “Registers are inefficient and they are costly to staff. Retailers will reduce and eliminate them as far as they can, albeit while having to keep customer service in mind.”❓ What are your thoughts? Is this a smart move for Kroger, or are they missing anything?Read the full discussion (link in comments below) and then leave a comment on the discussion already in progress at RetailWire!

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Several grocery retailers, including Schnucks Supermarkets, Kroger, Hy-Vee, Inc., and Ahold Delhaize USA, are embracing Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs) to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences. ESLs, linked with platforms like Instacart's Carrot Tag, use LED lights to assist in pick-to-light and stock-to-light functionalities, improving efficiency in stocking and e-commerce fulfillment. These labels can also provide real-time pricing data and reduce the need for paper tags and shelf talkers. Read more on the helpful use of ESLs: https://bit.ly/45MUXYI#Innovation #Technology #Future #Marketing #SocialMediaRodney McMullen Surabhi Pokhriyal Laura Jones Lauren Horton

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Grocery is hurtling towards a #frictionless #future.The expansion of Amazon One is just the latest step.Schnucks announced a pilot with Instacart's #smartcarts last week.The path towards frictionless is uncertain - it's been less than a year since Wegmans discontinued scan-and-go.Still, it's clear that the path forward will require #modernization.Grocers cannot expect to get ahead of the frictionless curve while deploying #legacy systems - it won't work.Grocers need providers that can help them bridge the gap.If critical partners aren't articulating the innovation roadmap that will keep grocers competitive - it's time to move on.#innovation #frictionless #futureproof #egrocery #grocery #ecommerce#gcommerce #foodretail #modernization https://lnkd.in/gZHdimkR

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Brick-and-mortar stores are the dinosaurs of retail. 🦖And drop shipping is the meteor! 🌠Ever walked around big-box stores lately? You’ll see maybe 10 to 20 customers shopping (unless there’s a big sale).My daughters don’t hang out with friends at the mall like we did as teens.Let’s face it-- physical stores are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Today's customers want convenience.They want to buy online and have things delivered at their doorstep.And companies are shifting gears to meet this demand. That's why the drop shipping business model is on the rise.Why? Because it’s efficient.People are used to Amazon's "order in the morning, get it by evening" speed. So now every other retailer, from Target and Walmart to the mom-and-pop stores, has to up their game.From an entrepreneurial perspective, it also cuts out a lot of operational fat.Imagine not needing massive warehouses or dealing with inventory nightmares. You only pay for what you sell. Drop shipping lets you work anywhere while selling any product online. 💻If you’re great at marketing, you can run a successful drop shipping business.But it's not all rainbows and unicorns. There’s a big catch. You have to be at the top of shipping efficiency. Remember how Amazon raised the bar for customer expectations?If your shipping game doesn’t come close, brace yourself for a wave of bad reviews. And guess who customers will blame? Not the manufacturer, but the marketer. That's right, it's on you! 😲And that’s where huge retail giants like Walmart and Target have an edge.They’ve got so many inventory-stocked stores, they have the advantage in last-mile deliveries.They could easily morph into super-efficient distribution centers!But the million-dollar question is: Can the retail giants adapt quickly? One thing is clear: e-commerce and drop shipping are the waves of the future.We’re in the golden era of the digital marketplace. And the challenge for businesses is to adapt quickly and keep the customer experience at the heart of your operations. #Retail #Business #Trends #DropShipping #BusinessInsight

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Our CEO and co-founder, David Sobie, sat down with Andrew Adam Newman from Retail Brew to discuss the industry-wide impacts of pioneering no-box returns back in 2016, to how our recent acquisition by UPS further powers our mission to deliver easy, convenient return experiences for shoppers and merchants.There’s even a look at the bright side of returns fees, with David sharing some tips on how merchants can use this tactic for positive effects.“Software like ours allows merchants the chance to use fees as sort of like carrots and sticks to create the right incentives for their shoppers.” - David SobieRead the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/eXHed8Gi

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At continuation of a previous post on #subscription market, it is interesting to note how Amazon keeps on investing and investigating into this model, leveraging its amazing #Prime customers base. The attempt to apply it on the grocery market might be disruptive, as this is definitely a vertical where such offers are clearly making sense. Amazon has rolled out a new grocery subscription service for Prime members and customers using EBT (electronic benefits transfer for government assistance programs). The key details are:- $9.99 per month for Prime members, $4.99 for non-Prime EBT customers- Provides free #grocery delivery on orders over $35- Covers Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods, and partnered grocers like Cardenas Markets- Available in over 3,500 U.S. cities and towns- Includes benefits like 1-hour delivery windows and priority for recurring orders- Builds on existing Prime grocery perks like Whole Foods discounts- Part of Amazon's efforts to enhance its grocery offerings and drive Prime memberships- Follows recent moves like removing Just Walk Out tech from some stores and offering Dash Carts to other grocers- Amazon has been adjusting grocery delivery minimum spend thresholds and expanding access to non-Prime customersThe new subscription aims to provide a "best-in-class" grocery experience by combining selection, value and convenience for Amazon's diverse customer base. It represents Amazon's latest play to sharpen its grocery operations and grow its share of the lucrative grocery market.https://lnkd.in/esjWqyHZ

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