Today in Food Commerce: McDonald’s Announces ‘Virtual Camp’; Grocers Tap Cashier-Less Checkout

McDonald’s Opens ‘Virtual Camp’ as Restaurants Jockey for Diner Loyalty

Quick-service restaurant (QSR) giant McDonald’s is joining the slew of restaurants seeking to diversify the in-app experience beyond the standard earn-and-burn loyalty point offerings. The restaurant chain, which has around 13,500 locations in the United States and tens of thousands more abroad, announced the launch of its “Camp McDonald’s” mobile experience, a so-called “virtual camp” that consumers access through the brand’s app.

Grocers Leverage Cashier-Less Checkout as Data Opportunities Emerge

There was a time when autonomous checkout was a little-known, cutting-edge technology only being tested in small-format convenience stores. Now, a range of leading grocers around the world have been testing out the checkout method in full-format supermarkets, and many consumers are familiar with the concept. For instance, Rewe, a major German grocery chain, is implementing autonomous checkout in partnership with Israel-based computer vision company Trigo.

Grocery Roundup: Retailers Tap Contextual Commerce; Kroger Expands Private Label

Supermarkets test video advertising, Kroger invests in its private-label dairy offerings, and The Save Mart’s robotic delivery test comes to an end.