Today in Restaurant and Grocery Tech: Chipotle Taps Influencer Expertise; Hy-Vee Supermarkets Showcase Home Gym Equipment

HyVee

Today in restaurant and grocery tech news, Chipotle engages with TikTok influencers to build loyalty, while Hy-Vee adds fitness equipment showrooms to stores. Plus, KanduAI CEO Ariel Shemesh discusses the three main points of friction turning grocery shoppers away from self-checkout options.

Chipotle Parlays Loyalty Into Marketing With ‘Creator Class’

When it comes to social commerce, Chipotle is turning to those who know the space best: influencers. The brand announced on Thursday (Sept. 9) that it is launching its first “Creator Class,” a group of 15 TikTokers who will participate in a series of brainstorming sessions to help shape the brand’s social strategy. The group includes 14 established influencers, all with at least one million followers, as well as an open slot to be filled by a contest winner.

Grocery Roundup: Hy-Vee Debuts Fitness Showrooms; e-Grocery Gets Specific

Hy-Vee brings fitness equipment into its supermarkets, Meijer launches an online cake customization tool, Impossible Foods takes on chicken nuggets and Save a Lot sells off more of its corporate-owned stores.

3 Friction Points Slowing the Adoption of Self-Checkout for Grocers

Self-checkout could be key to helping grocers weather today’s challenging labor market, but a few main sticking points—produce recognition, age verification, and product design—are making it more difficult for consumers to take advantage of the option. KanduAI CEO Ariel Shemesh speaks with PYMNTS about how grocers can provide a self-checkout experience with which consumers will actually want to engage.