Today in Food Commerce: ‘Just Walk Out’ Whole Foods Opens; Walmart Offers White-Label, Last-Mile Grocery Solution

Today in food commerce, the first Whole Foods Market with Just Walk Out technology opens its doors, and Walmart takes on food delivery with a new technology partnership. Plus, American Express and Resy launch a reservation drive, and Olo CEO Noah Glass discusses restaurant customers’ evolving expectation of the payment process.

Amazon’s ‘Just Walk Out’ Whole Foods Store Opens as Frictionless Checkout Takes Hold

The Whole Foods Market shopping experience just got a major tech upgrade. Nearly five months after Amazon announced its intention to bring its Just Walk Out cashier-less checkout technology to its Whole Foods Market grocery brand, the first such location has opened.

Grocery Roundup: Walmart Takes on Instacart with New Tech Partnership

Walmart’s white-label delivery service is turning its focus toward small- to medium-sized grocery retailers. The retail giant announced a partnership with Cognetry Labs, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered, end-to-end eCommerce software provider for grocers, to create a turnkey solution for mid-sized and independent grocers to run digital delivery businesses.

Olo CEO: Removing Payment Friction Equips Restaurants to Compete With Aggregators

In an interview with PYMNTS, Olo CEO Noah Glass argues that, as eCommerce payments evolve across categories, restaurants that do not offer quicker and more seamless payment options risk falling behind.

Amex, Resy Team on Restaurant Reservation Drive

American Express and Resy have launched the Every Resy Counts reservation drive, which is aimed at encouraging millions of consumers across the country to eat at independent restaurants through the end of March.

Meal Kit Service Gousto Lands $230M

U.K. meal kit company Gousto has landed $230 million in funding from investors led by Japan’s SoftBank Vision Fund 2. The financing marks SoftBank’s second investment in Gousto this year. In January, the firm invested $100 million in the food subscription service, valuing Gousto at $1.7 billion.