Today in Food Commerce: Ultrafast Grocers Begin Layoffs; Ocado Sees Major Setbacks

Today in food commerce, ultrafast grocery delivery startups lay off their staff, and Ocado cuts its sales growth prediction for the year by more than half. Plus, Madeline Aufseeser, global omnichannel grocery leader at ACI Worldwide, discusses consumers’ evolving payment expectations.

Grocers Help Shoppers to Cut the Line with Upgraded Payment Options

Madeline Aufseeser, global omnichannel grocery leader at ACI Worldwide, which provides electronic payments solutions for more than 6,000 organizations around the world, speaks with PYMNTS about how grocers are reexamining their relationships with customers through a payments lens.

Pink Slips Mount as Ultrafast Grocers Confront Global Challenges

As ultrafast grocers’ challenges continue, leading players around the world are beginning rounds of major layoffs. Turkey-based ultrafast grocer Getir, for one, is planning to lay off 14% of the staff at its global headquarters, according to a company memo published by TechCrunch on Wednesday (May 25). It was also reported Wednesday that United Kingdom-based ultrafast grocer Zapp is cutting 10% of its staff, according to an internal email viewed by European startup news outlet Sifted.

Grocery Roundup: Ocado Slashes Growth Predictions; Instacart Looks to Attract, Retain Employees

Ocado faces major barriers, Instacart unveils changes to its shopper rating system, FreshDirect delivers rosé in the Hamptons, and Kroger builds out its eCommerce fulfillment network.

Uber Eats’ Robotic Delivery Partner Serve Takes on Education Barrier

Ali Kashani, co-founder and CEO of Serve Robotics, discusses in an interview with PYMNTS how, even as autonomous delivery becomes more widespread, it will take time to overcome resistance to the new technology.