BrightDrop, a subsidiary of GM, has upgraded its Trace Grocery system, the temperature-managed eCart initially designed for optimized grocery fulfillment and curbside pickup. The significant enhancement is the introduction of the “self-dispense” feature.
Why It Matters
This innovative feature permits customers to obtain their online grocery orders straight from secure compartments located curbside at the store, without needing assistance from store employees. As online shopping continues to surge, the demand for quicker, efficient, and autonomous solutions grows. This move by BrightDrop caters to that very demand, ensuring both consumers and retailers benefit from reduced wait times and streamlined processes.
Key Points
- Self-Dispense Efficiency: Grocers can potentially eliminate up to 16% of the order fulfillment time, traditionally used for manually handing out customer orders, using the self-dispense feature.
- Meeting Market Demand: The online grocery market projection is impressive, with an anticipated value of $240 billion by 2025, which is expected to more than double in the subsequent decade.
- How It Works:
- Pick & Pack: After receiving an online order, store associates select and pack groceries directly into the Trace Grocery compartments, categorized by temperature.
- Move: Once packing concludes, associates place the unit at an accessible curbside spot for client collection.
- Serve: Customers can use their mobile devices to unlock particular compartments, gaining access to their orders without needing store associate intervention.
- Benefits:
- Scalability: Provides a scalable solution without the necessity for pricey stationary lockers or refrigeration.
- Efficiency Boost: Potentially offers up to a 34% reduction in time to serve online orders by removing specific procedures, while also shortening customer wait times.
- Employee Benefits: Trace Grocery boasts battery propulsion matching human walking speeds (up to 3 mph), mitigating physical fatigue for store associates.
- Enhanced Customer Experience: Presents customers with greater autonomy and options for order retrieval.
Bottom Line
BrightDrop’s introduction of the self-dispense feature to its Trace Grocery system marks a pivotal stride in redefining online grocery collection. Available for order now, deliveries of these enhanced units are slated for early 2024. Through such innovations, BrightDrop empowers retailers with versatile solutions that cater to the evolving needs of their clientele.
