US Grocery Chains Gradually Introduce Unmanned Pickup Counters

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Major grocery chains in the United States are installing unmanned kiosk pickup counters one after another. The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has brought a wave of contactless services to the grocery industry.

According to the local media Chicago Tribune on the 18th (local time), Jewel-Osco, the largest grocery chain in the Chicago metropolitan area, recently opened its first pilot kiosk at a store in the southern part of downtown. Customers can order groceries online and pick them up at a kiosk installed in a section of the store parking lot.

Jewel-Osco's parent company, Albertsons, plans to open a second pilot kiosk at its Bay Area chain brand Safeway in San Francisco. Chris Lupp, Vice President of Albertsons, stated, "Since the share of electronic transactions has increased after the COVID-19 pandemic, we are exploring ways to simplify pickup and delivery."

Walmart, the largest retailer in the U.S., is testing technology that installs temperature-controlled storage boxes in front of customers' homes to deliver food anytime. This service, called "Home Valet," is scheduled to be piloted this spring in Bentonville, Arkansas, where the headquarters is located.

Large retailer Target also plans to significantly expand its "curbside pickup" zones where customers can receive items while remaining in their cars in the store parking lot. Along with this, it will strengthen fresh and frozen food delivery services.

Kroger, the largest grocery chain in the U.S., is building a new automated logistics center to process online orders more efficiently. Kroger, whose digital sales surged 108% year-over-year in the third quarter of last year, said, "Online business is highly profitable," adding, "We can reduce costs with automated systems and stimulate demand through personalized online advertising."