Trend of the Month

Focus on Frictionless

In last month’s newsletter we reported plans by Compass Group Ireland to launch its first fully ‘frictionless’ checkout-free store in a workplace in early 2022. The new store will utilise computer vision technology that allows shoppers to purchase items in-store without having to wait in line or stop to scan or pay. But it’s not just Contract Caterers that are responding to this growing consumer drive for increased convenience, at our Meat Seminar earlier this year, IGD called out AmazonFresh as an example of what they termed “The Disruptor”, offering “just walk out shopping”, first introduced to the UK in 2021. And others are following suit in their drive to win market share, last month Aldi UK launched their “Shop&Go” check-out free concept in Greenwich. A further example of the ever-blurring boundaries between Retail and Foodservice and recognition that when it comes to cultivating customer loyalty - convenience trumps.