How Technology impacts grocery shopping and delivery services?
Technology is the scientific term associated with the sum total of techniques involved in the manufacture, processing, and delivery of goods and services. It has been long associated with the digital world, but it extends far beyond that. Technology is involved in improving logical systems, with such systems found in software, machines, and entire organizations. While science satisfies itself by experimenting and finding answers related to the world’s problems, technology must additionally prove its utility, usability, and durability. Technology has existed since ancient history. By such a definition of technology, the discoveries of stone tools and fire by prehistoric human beings are considered technological improvements. Now, from large airplanes to very small semiconductors on recent computer chips are considered part of technological innovations.
The people have favored taking home their groceries using new technology-assisted methods. The surveys confirm this fact. It was reported by the marketing firm SKULocal that 43 percent of people choose to get their products home-delivered. This figure increased to 47 percent of people if we consider only beauty and personal care products. E-commerce and remote delivery, which were technological revolutions in the grocery business now take a significant share of the marketplace. Grocery delivery in London, Ontario has also been growing. The share of groceries that were shopped online increased from 5 percent in 2016 to 17 percent in 2020. The customer demands usually drive the market trends. It's no wonder then that 63 percent of retailers sold their products online in 2018 according to the food retailing industry reports. It is also common knowledge that the younger generation is more willing to incorporate technological advancements into traditional systems.
Technology Impact on grocery shopping and delivery services
As it happens, grocery stores, supermarkets, and associated delivery services have been touched by technological advancements. Even the consumers who drive these businesses are impacted greatly by technology. Following are the common ways in which technology has impacted the grocery delivery business.
Home Delivery
Home delivery is one of the widespread technological impacts on the grocery business and related delivery services. Home delivery involves using a digital platform on the part of the customer. The retailer gets the order in their administrative office. This order is then sent out to delivery agents via digital means. The customer usually uses technology in the form of mobile apps to find the location of their order and to communicate with the retailer. This technology is now available in every London, Ontario Grocery delivery service. Electronic payments are very popular. Mobile payments alone can make up around 300 billion US dollars according to retail dive.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial Intelligence technology has also impacted grocery store businesses around the world. There is the usage of AI technology that recognizes the products that people put into the cart so that they don’t have to wait in the check-out process. This technology reads the product information and charges the customer according to the price of the product. This technology has been installed in grocery delivery in London, Ontario, that can easily follow such an approach to reduce work on the part of the customer.
Voice Ordering
Voice ordering technology exists in grocery stores. In fact, at present 20 percent of people who shop at grocery stores have used voice ordering technology. According to O&C strategy consultants, voice shopping will soar as high as a 40 billion dollar industry in 2022. An example of such a technology is the HKU fridge, which is a Wi-Fi enabled fridge that can listen to customer’s orders. It can add products like milk and bread to the shopping list of the customer. It is equipped with a barcode scanner so that every product the customer chooses is accounted for in the grocery system.
Hydroponic and vertical farming
Hydroponic farming is a method of farming that uses vitamin-rich water to grow vegetables and other such products. These vegetables can be then grown inside supermarkets or grocery delivery agencies. The metro supermarket located in Berlin, Germany uses this technology to always have stocks of its vegetable products. Green herbs and vegetables are grown in modular boxes. In Sydney, Australia, “living lettuce” is grown as a portion of fresh food that the customer can buy. Water is sprayed in jets on the lettuce to keep it growing. Grocery delivery in London, Ontario can make use of such farming methods to always have stock of customer requirements.
Checkout-free concepts
In-store convenience is also a sector where technological improvements are increasing. Some retailers are using checkout-free concept designs on their physical stores. It means that customers no longer have to stand in long queues while getting the required retail accessories. The Amazon Go store in Seattle offers such an experience. It uses a QR code on every product that the customer can just scan and then pick up their product home with some interactions with the amazon app and in-store payment technology. Security is provided to the store to prevent any unauthorized take-outs. Delivery agents can also use these types of stores as a supply point for their deliveries.
Augmented Reality Shopping Experience
Augmented Reality is another technology that has been seeping into the consumer market. A UK-based technology company has set up a process by simply holding a camera through the mobile application to a product, the customer can get all its details. A London, Ontario grocery delivery service can easily integrate such technology in their store. This also helps delivery agents pick the right products when customers order them reducing the time of such deliveries.
Conclusion
Technology is driving almost every sector in the food and grocery delivery business. Technology has also had an impact on changing customer shopping habits and has had an influence on people’s product selection. The delivery business is made faster, more efficient and FoodRunner is the primary Grocery delivery service in London, Ontario. FoodRunner offers on-demand grocery delivery services and same-day pick-up and delivery of groceries anywhere in Canada.
