Global News and Digital
Insights for the Food and Grocery Industry

March 31, 2021

Grocers are using AI to execute medically-approved disinfection practices

Apart from going cashierless like Amazon Go, e-commerce businesses are now using AI and technology to tackle novel challenges caused by COVID-19. PIXEVIA, a Tech and AI firm hailing from the EU, is using AI to disinfect grocery outlets in the Netherlands and France by dispersing UV lights. This is one of the automated disinfecting processes that doesn’t require human staff for its execution. PIXEVIA smart stores are empowering grocers through cashierless and automated disinfecting checkout lanes to limit human contact.

Amazon spreads its retail wings to Australia and acquires Selz

Amazon has just acquired Australian e-commerce business Selz. Selz is similar to Spotify when it comes to its business model and it will work with Amazon to provide easy-to-use business and technology tools to entrepreneurs. Through this acquisition, Amazon won’t have to try hard to get sellers to collaborate with it. It will work with them in the backend to allow a white-label shopping experience.

The Australian government encourages local exporters to contribute to global E-commerce

The Queensland state government has introduced a A$400,000 E-commerce grant program to local exporters. This program will help the exporters sell fresh produce and other products globally through e-commerce. Queensland is the hub for fresh produce export and firms exporting mangoes have already been trading through e-commerce to Korea, China, the U.S. and Canada. This move will help Australia digitize its supply chain and achieve higher returns.

Bluestone Lane, a US-based coffee chain, successfully pilots a mobile-enabled drive-thru

Bluestone Lane, a cafe serving healthy food items, announced that it is gearing up to expand to new locations in the U.S. and Canada. Bluestone is moving out to the suburbs as well. It is amongst those coffee chains that developed an in-house app and payment platform to fulfil takeaways only without splurging money. It has recently piloted a mobile-based drive-thru to facilitate a seamless experience for its customers.

Domino’s automates its operations using AI and machine learning

Domino’s has partnered with Datatron, a firm offering Artificial Intelligence and machine learning services, to automate its major in-store operations. This partnership will help Domino’s predict in-store labour, and navigate delivery vehicles efficiently to maximize revenue generation and improve customer service. Datatron will help automate the monitoring, management, and deployment of Domino’s automation and AI model.

Xingsheng Youxuan, a Chinese grocery app, raises $2 billion

A Chinese grocery shopping app, Xingsheng Youxuan, has raised about $2 billion and this funding will value the company at $6 billion approximately. Internet gaming giant Tencent Holdings was amongst many other investors including Sequoia China, FountainVest and Temasek.

Grocers are using AI to execute medically-approved disinfection practices

Apart from going cashierless like Amazon Go, e-commerce businesses are now using AI and technology to tackle novel challenges caused by COVID-19. PIXEVIA, a Tech and AI firm hailing from the EU, is using AI to disinfect grocery outlets in the Netherlands and France by dispersing UV lights. This is one of the automated disinfecting processes that doesn’t require human staff for its execution. PIXEVIA smart stores are empowering grocers through cashierless and automated disinfecting checkout lanes to limit human contact.

Amazon spreads its retail wings to Australia and acquires Selz

Amazon has just acquired Australian e-commerce business Selz. Selz is similar to Spotify when it comes to its business model and it will work with Amazon to provide easy-to-use business and technology tools to entrepreneurs. Through this acquisition, Amazon won’t have to try hard to get sellers to collaborate with it. It will work with them in the backend to allow a white-label shopping experience.

The Australian government encourages local exporters to contribute to global E-commerce

The Queensland state government has introduced a A$400,000 E-commerce grant program to local exporters. This program will help the exporters sell fresh produce and other products globally through e-commerce. Queensland is the hub for fresh produce export and firms exporting mangoes have already been trading through e-commerce to Korea, China, the U.S. and Canada. This move will help Australia digitize its supply chain and achieve higher returns.

Bluestone Lane, a US-based coffee chain, successfully pilots a mobile-enabled drive-thru

Bluestone Lane, a cafe serving healthy food items, announced that it is gearing up to expand to new locations in the U.S. and Canada. Bluestone is moving out to the suburbs as well. It is amongst those coffee chains that developed an in-house app and payment platform to fulfil takeaways only without splurging money. It has recently piloted a mobile-based drive-thru to facilitate a seamless experience for its customers.

Domino’s automates its operations using AI and machine learning

Domino’s has partnered with Datatron, a firm offering Artificial Intelligence and machine learning services, to automate its major in-store operations. This partnership will help Domino’s predict in-store labour, and navigate delivery vehicles efficiently to maximize revenue generation and improve customer service. Datatron will help automate the monitoring, management, and deployment of Domino’s automation and AI model.

Xingsheng Youxuan, a Chinese grocery app, raises $2 billion

A Chinese grocery shopping app, Xingsheng Youxuan, has raised about $2 billion and this funding will value the company at $6 billion approximately. Internet gaming giant Tencent Holdings was amongst many other investors including Sequoia China, FountainVest and Temasek.