Today in Food Commerce: Consumers Flock to Walmart; Chili’s Parent Trials Sidewalk Robots

Today in food commerce, PYMNTS data reveal that about two out of three shoppers make purchases from Walmart each month, while a report reveals that Chili’s Grill and Bar parent company Brinker International is testing out sidewalk robots for delivery. Plus, James Marcus, partner and operator of Florida fast-casual chain Capital Tacos, speaks with PYMNTS about how the chain is getting creative with its menus to soften the impact of inflation.

Nearly Two-Thirds of Consumers Shop in Walmart Stores Each Month

Walmart’s hold on the United States population may be even greater than you imagined as 64% of consumers report having made an in-store purchase from Walmart in the last month, according to data from PYMNTS’ new study “The Benefits of Membership: Mass Retailers and Subscription Services.”

Restaurant Roundup: Restaurant Automation Takes Over Subway Stations, Sidewalks

Robotic ramen vending machines come to transportation hubs in Japan, Brinker International trials sidewalk robot delivery as part of a broader push toward automation, and the U.S. House of Representatives passes a bill that allocates $42 billion in relief to small restaurants.

For Restaurants, Inflationary Challenges Prompt Menu Creativity

James Marcus, partner and operator of Capital Tacos, a fast-casual Tex-Mex restaurant chain in Florida, spoke with PYMNTS about the challenges posed by skyrocketing inflation and about how restaurants can get imaginative to mitigate the impact. “I have great doubts that the official inflation rates are even close to the real impact that everyone’s feeling,” he said.