News Roundup: Instacart Launches Connected Stores; CoLab Class 2023 Applications Open

E-commerce platform Instacart announced this week it has teamed up with Good Food Holdings to debut its new “Connected Stores” model at an Irvine, California Bristol farms location. The store will open in the coming months.

The new format is designed to merge the online and in-store shopping experience and features six Instacart platform technologies including an AI-powered shopping cart, scan and pay-as-you-go technology, out-of-stock insights and integrated grocery lists to allow consumers to move between online, the Instacart app and the physical store.

“We believe the future of grocery won’t be about choosing between shopping online and in-store – consumers are going to do both,” said Fidji Simo, Instacart CEO, in a press release. “The launch of Connected Stores is another exciting step for Instacart as we partner with retailers to help invent the future of grocery. Through these technologies, we can now offer consumers the best of online shopping inside physical stores, and vice-versa.”

Other features include Carrot tags, which enable pick-to-light capabilities and prepared food order management system FoodStorm Department Orders. Retailers can pick and choose which technologies to integrate into their stores and connect directly with the platform’s ecommerce Storefront Pro technology.

The model has already been tested at numerous grocers across the U.S. and Canada including Wakefern Food Corp., Schnucks, and Joseph’s Classic Market, each of which will be permanently adding elements of the Connected Stores platform in the coming months.

“With Instacart’s Carrot Tags technology, we’re able to seamlessly integrate electronic shelf labels and get them directly onto our shelves, helping Instacart shoppers track down hard-to-find products and making store navigation easier – allowing them to deliver excellent customer service,” said Bob Hardester, chief information and supply chain officer at Schnucks, in a press release. “We know successful online grocery requires blending technology and the human touch, and our partnership with Instacart helps ensure we’re meeting customer needs at all times while driving inspiration across our stores and online channels.”

Grocery giant Kroger also announced the launch of a new e-cart to streamline online order fulfillment for store workers. The cart was developed by General Motors’ Brightdrop team and can be filled with online orders and is temperature-controlled, features nine-compartments and is designed to be stationed at the pickup point where customers can unlock their items via the grocer’s app.

Mondelēz SnackFutures Team Opens Application Round For CoLab Class 2023

Snack giant Mondelēz opened the application process for the third round of its CoLab class accelerator program this week. The theme for this upcoming cohort is “Disruptively Delicious” and aims to focus on applicants that are innovating with new flavors, experience, sustainability attributes and packaging.

Selected applicants will participate in a 12-week “growth-centric” course which includes in-person workshops, hands-on experiences and virtual curriculum sessions, and one-on-one mentorship; participants will also receive a $20,000 grant.

“To be launching a third class of CoLab demonstrates Mondelēz International’s commitment to thinking and behaving as a consumer-centric, future forward leader in snacking,” said Brigette Wolf, VP and Global Head of SnackFutures, in a press release. “The start-ups that participate in this program tell us they are blown away by the access and attention they get from our experts and ecosystem; and our leaders and employees are inspired by the drive and discipline of these entrepreneurs.”

Last year’s cohort included brands such as Pan’s Mushroom Jerky, Love Corn, Moonshot Snacks, Yolélé and more. To qualify, start-ups must be based in the U.S., generate at least $1 million in annual revenue and have “high growth potential, align with the Mondelēz International innovation priorities and can benefit from working with the company.”

New Emulsifier Launches Amid Sunflower Lecithin Shortages

Flavor and ingredient supplier Kerry announced the launch of a new clean-label emulsifier that can be used as a substitute to sunflower lecithin amid ongoing shortages due to the war in Ukraine. The new ingredient, Puremel, is made with acacia, a naturally sourced, sustainable and drought-resistant tree grown in the Sahel region in Africa.

“The global emulsifier market is at capacity and there are significant sunflower lecithin price volatility and supply issues,” said Tim Cottrell, business development director for emulsifiers, texturants and gum acacia, in a press release. “Puremul is the only clean label solution in the market that successfully replaces the functionality of sunflower lecithin and mono- and diglycerides, helping product makers meet the rising market calls for clean, natural, sustainable solutions.”

According to Kerry’s Beyond The Label research report 82% of consumers are looking for clean-label products and believe mono- and diglycerides are “undesirable ingredients.” The new emulsifier is also non-GMO.

Guacamole Pioneer Don Bowden Dies At 90

Wholly Guacamole and ¡Yo Quiero! founder Don Bowden passed away this week at the age of 90. Bowden is credited with innovating and investing in the commercialization of packaged guacamole and avocados for food service and retail distribution.

The Texas-native founded Wholly Guacamole in 1989 and later purchased a commercial high-pressure preservation (HPP) machine, which eventually drove widespread adoption and application of HPP in the food industry. Bowden was actively involved in the ¡Yo Quiero! Business and creating new products up until his death.