Tech round-up: Giant Co.’s electric delivery vans, Instacart Scan & Pay and more

The pandemic prompted a revolution in grocery technology that does not appear to be slowing. Here's a look at some of the latest developments between grocery retailers and tech providers:

The Giant Co. goes electric

The Giant Co. on Tuesday said it is adding four electric vans to its delivery fleet in the greater Philadelphia area.

The electric vehicles are the first of their kind to join Giant’s 164-vehicle fleet and can travel 108 miles per charge, reducing the company’s environmental footprint and saving an estimated 9,000 gallons of gas per year.

Over the next few years, The Giant Co. plans to add more all-electric vehicles to its fleet, the Carlisle, Pennsylvania-based company said.

“Electric vehicles are part of The Giant Co.’s ongoing commitment to sustainability,” said Tracy Horsfield, manager of e-commerce, in a statement. “We continue to partner with sustainability leaders to reduce and offset emissions at every level of our supply chain. Together, we are taking action and forging partnerships to create healthier communities for generations to come.”

The Giant Co. operates 193 stores across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and New Jersey.

Foodcellar Market debuts Scan & Pay

Long Island City, New York, grocer Foodcellar Market is the first retailer to put Instacart’s Scan & Pay technology in its stores, the company announced this week.

Customers can scan grocery items with their phone as they shop, including weighted produce, and pay for the shopping trip using their mobile phone, Instacart said.

The tech platform also connects the digital and in-store shopping experience, linking items bought on-site to a shopper’s Instacart account.

To use the new payment option, Foodcellar Market customers scan the QR code on the sign at the front of the store, opening the Scan & Pay browser so they can add items to their basket as they shop. When they’re finished, they can check out from anywhere in the store. To exit, shoppers must show a QR code to confirm they’ve paid.

“We’ve been really pleased with the early adoption, and our store associates love how Scan & Pay reduces stress for them too,” Foodcellar Market co-founder Metin Mangut said in a statement.

Buehler’s partners with Mercatus for e-commerce platform

Ohio-based grocer Buehler’s Fresh Foods on Tuesday announced its adoption of Mercatus as the grocer’s e-commerce platform.

Buehler’s online shopping experience will bring new commerce technologies and capabilities, the companies said, including an updated shopping app for ready-made and prepared meals as well as customized cakes, platters and deli counter offerings.

Buehler's Fresh Foods / Photo: Shutterstock

“Our customers love the convenience of shopping online, and we want to make sure we not only meet their expectations but exceed them,” Buehler’s President and CEO Mike Davidson said in a statement.

Buehler’s operates 14 supermarkets.

Save A Lot joins with SymphonyAI Retail CPG for supply chain boost

Discount grocer Save A Lot selected SymphonyAI Retail CPG as its data-based supply chain solution as the company makes a major shift to its business model, the tech firm announced Tuesday.

Save A Lot / Photo: Shutterstock

“At Save A Lot, we have undertaken a strategic transformation from grocery retailer to licensed wholesaler,” Save A Lot CIO Jennifer Hopper said in a statement. “With SymphonyAI Retail CPG technology, we get best-in-class solutions and can evolve to full, end-to-end supply chain optimization that best supports our owner/operator retail partner network while giving us enhanced business agility, efficiency and scalability.”

SymphonyAI Retail CPG provides artificial intelligence-powered merchandising, marketing and supply chain solutions.

Save A Lot operates 850 stores in 32 states.

Raley’s expands SNAP EBT acceptance via Instacart

Raley’s on Tuesday expanded its electronic benefit transfer (EBT) acceptance for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) shoppers using Instacart at 83 stores across California.

The expansion builds on Raley’s launch of the program at 15 stores in Nevada earlier this year.

Raley's / Photo: Shutterstock

Raley’s and Instacart debuted EBT SNAP payment integration last year at 111 Bashas’ stores in Arizona.

“As part of our continued commitment to nourishing the health and well-being of the communities we serve, we’re proud to enable EBT SNAP payment acceptance online for the first time in California through our partnership with Instacart,” Chelsea Minor, Raley’s executive director of Community Impact & Public Affairs, said in a statement.

Raley’s operates 121 stores under four banners.