Solutions & Innovations
Delivery with Robomart and Uber Connect A roundup of technology-driven tools that drive consumer understanding, engagement and conversion on every step of the path to purchase. BY B I L L S C H O B E R
With supplychain issues and omicron adding to shipping uncertainties, Uber announced in December new features for its Uber Connect sameday, local-delivery service. Uber Connect, which launched in April 2020, expanded its availability to 6,000 U.S. cities and now offers real-time local tracking of any “legitimate and legal” package as long as it “fits in the trunk of a midsize car.” (The legit/legal clause means no booze, guns, stolen goods, animals, money, illegal drugs or other dodgy things not allowed by law.) A new feature is a “Meet at your door” pickup/drop-off option that loosens a previous COVID-safe-spacing, curbside-only limitation. Also, users can now text special instructions to their driver, such as, “This package contains antique ornaments that are very fragile.”
In early February, the makers of Too Good To Go, a marketplace app for surplus food, announced partnerships with several U.S. instant-delivery grocers, including JOKR, Gorillas, REEF Technology’s Lightspeed Market and Food Rocket. Copenhagen, Denmark-based Too Good To Go says its platform is being used by 7,000 food businesses in 12 U.S. cities, including New York; Washington, D.C.; Chicago; San Francisco; and Austin, Texas. The app connects shoppers with businesses — bakers, butchers, restaurants, grocers, etc. — that have surplus food, turning potential waste into meals at a reasonable price. The service is available in 17 international markets (mainly large European cities), and the app has an estimated 50 million downloads to date, the company says.
In January, Santa Monica, Californiabased Robomart announced that the company was issued patent #11227270 for the “one-tap store-hailing and seamless checkoutfree technology” that is used in its delivery service, billed as “the first store that comes to you.” Robomart operates a fleet of on-demand, mobile mini-marts in six specialties: grocery, snacks, pharmacy, cafe, ice cream and fast food. A shopper armed with the company’s proprietary app can hail a Robomart to their location. When it arrives, the shopper simply swipes across the app to open the vehicle’s door. At this point, the shopper has access to an RFID-based, checkoutBill Schober is Editor Emeritus of Path to Purchase IQ. He’s been free system, and after picking associated with the Institute since 1994, covering all aspects of consumer whatever items are desired, simply marketing with a special emphasis on the shopping experience. He welcomes any questions, comments, requests or pitches about Solutions walks away. & Innovations, and can be reached at bschober@ensembleiq.com.
March/April 2022
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