October 21, 2021 | GroceryGeniuses Blog

Instacart is buying AI-powered Smart Carts and checkout system providing firm Caper for $350 Million

GroceryGeniuses October 21, 2021

Instacart is currently in the process of buying Caper, an AI startup, for $350 Million. The delivery firm will make the payment both in cash and stocks. The startup makes a shopping cart with a built-in barcode scanner and credit card swiper and also provides a swift digital checkout system. The delivery firm will integrate Caper’s checkout tech in its app, allowing retailers to offer an innovative in-store and online shopping experience. Instacart is evolving its tech ecosystem and making acquisitions after acquisitions.

Instacart has acquired an Australian catering software provider named Foodstorm

GroceryGeniuses October 21, 2021

Instacart continues expanding its presence in various markets outside the US. The delivery firm has now acquired an Australian food catering software provider named Foodstorm. The monetary terms of the acquisition deal remained undisclosed. This acquisition will empower Instacart with an order management system for end-to-end order-ahead and catering services for ready-to-eat foods. Instacart will integrate Foodstorm’s tech into its e-grocery solutions. This partnership will improve the purchasing and fulfilment process for online custom cakes, sandwiches and catering.

Spice up your holiday retail strategy by keeping Google’s three golden rules in mind

GroceryGeniuses October 21, 2021

Google Media Lab, a team that manages media for Google’s brands, has shared its three-rule holiday retail strategy based on consumer research. The first rule implies that 42% of consumers started holiday shopping a bit earlier than in past years. So, brands need to buckle up for orders beforehand. The second rule suggests measuring total sales while providing an integrated shopping experience involving hybrid buying, both in-store and online. Online sales grew by 24% year over year in 2020, but in-store holiday sales made up almost 73% of total sales. The third rule is about incorporating automation to make informed decisions when consumer behaviour shifts abruptly.

IKEA UK has signed a sustainability partnership deal with Ashden

GroceryGeniuses October 21, 2021

IKEA UK has embarked on a journey to target zero carbon emissions with the Let’s Go Zero campaign. This campaign will help all 32,000 schools in the UK go green. The furniture giant has struck a sustainability deal with Ashden, a climate change charity firm, to foster the project of the green schools. The UK government has announced to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2050 and urging all the big firms to join hands. IKEA UK plans to reach the goal by 2030 and is driving its customers and 12,000 employees to engage with the community.