Member News

Nick Nickitas, general manager of local independent grocery at Instacart, sat down for a conversation with Bob Rybick, president and CEO of Geissler’s Supermarket, to discuss the strategy behind Geissler’s decision to replace a majority of their shopping carts with AI-powered smart Caper Carts, making them one of the first retailers in the U.S. to launch a dense deployment of smart Caper Carts. A conversation on Geissler’s strategy to launch smart carts in their stores:

Nickitas: Hi Bob! Thanks for sitting down with me to discuss Geissler’s vision, experience and expected outcomes of launching smart carts in your stores. I’d like to start at the beginning and ask what made you interested in smart shopping cart technology as a local independent grocer?

Rybick: As a multi-generational, independent grocer, we are focused on finding the best offerings and technology to help our customers, team members and business. With so many technological advancements now available for the grocery industry, we wanted to find something that could hit several of our strategic focuses, including:

• Enhancing the in-store experience for our customers;
• Assistance in loss prevention; and
• Helping grow revenue.

So, when we began exploring solutions to address our three strategic focuses, smart shopping carts emerged as a perfect fit. After evaluating our options, Caper Carts stood out as the most comprehensive solution.

Nickitas: Let’s dive deeper into those three strategic focuses then. How are you projecting that smart shopping carts will enhance the in-store experience for your customers?

Rybick: At launch, smart shopping carts will reduce lines and congestion in the store, creating a more enjoyable shopping experience for customers. The cart’s screen helps customers track their running total in real-time, helping them stay on budget. The screen also offers a Deals Hub – with digital coupons, aisle locations and loyalty program login to ensure we’re giving our customers all of the benefits they expect. Customers can also checkout directly on the Caper Cart with an integrated payment terminal, ensuring a seamless process. Our customers expect us to continually offer them first class in-store shopping experience and we feel implementing Caper Carts will drastically help with that.

Nickitas: One of the biggest concerns that retailers have with self-checkout experiences are with shrink/loss prevention. How do you project smart carts helping with that?

Rybick: Caper has a number of built in features that make it plug-and-play for loss prevention assistance. All together, these carts collectively have more safeguards to prevent theft than traditional self-checkout. For example, with Caper Carts specifically, the cart doesn’t just scan an item’s barcode, it recognizes it with the built-in computer vision cameras, taking into account item attributes so customers don’t scan one item, but put a different item in their basket. Additionally, the Caper Cart has a scale built-in to the bottom of the cart basket, allowing for accurate measures of weighted items. Lastly, Caper Carts have an audit system that flags carts based on our audit preferences, which are then checked by a store employee, or when notable items are added to the cart.

Nickitas: And finally, I want to talk about ROI. Most grocers are wondering how to think about profitability with smart carts. Do you expect Caper to affect your revenue growth?

Rybick: Yes, in so many ways. The engaging customer experience of the smart cart has already proven to drive a larger basket size. In addition to that, our smart carts offer gamification features, such as a “spin the wheel” feature that unlocks Caper Cart-only coupons for instant dollars off a customer’s shop. Furthermore, the cart’s screen is a new surface for the future potential of serving relevant, personalized ads directly to our customers at the point of purchase. These ads would help generate a new revenue stream that can help offset the implementation cost of smart carts.

Nickitas: Now let’s pivot to the technical side of smart cart implementation. What were your questions coming into this initiative on how it would affect your current tech stack, store operations and ongoing maintenance?

Rybick: We had many questions about this, as we aimed to ensure a seamless launch of smart carts in our stores, especially with our want to replace a majority of our carts with smart carts. Our key questions included:

• How difficult is it going to be to integrate smart carts into our catalog and POS systems?
• Would there be any technical requirements or store modifications needed?
• What does the ongoing maintenance look like for these products?

Nickitas: And what did you find to be the answers to those questions?

Rybick: The answers were a lot less cumbersome than one might think. It all came down to picking the right smart cart and the right company to partner with, for Geissler’s that was Instacart’s Caper Cart. With our chosen smart cart, integrating into our existing catalog to ensure all our SKUs would be recognized easily by the smart cart while customers are shopping was handled without issue. Our partner company integrates with all the leading POS systems in grocery, so that was also an easy check off.

Myself and the Geissler’s team were surprised at the minimal amount of technical requirements and store modifications needed to implement something as big and widely used as new shopping carts. Basically all we needed was an internet connection to get the smart carts connected and an area in the store for the carts to charge. Since regular shopping carts already have a bay, we were able to make that the charging area, as Caper Carts have the ability for nested charging. We do also have a smart cart checkout priority lane, which wasn’t a big deal to implement. We did add some in-store signage to help educate our customers on the smart carts, but the lift there was also minimal.

And lastly, for the ongoing maintenance, Instacart has remote management personnel and software for easily auditing each Caper Cart, as well as providing software updates as needed. For the physical cart maintenance, Instacart manages that ongoing, alleviating that potential stress from our teams.

Nickitas: I appreciate all you said and just have one more question. What would you tell other local, independent grocers who are considering smart cart technology for their stores?

Rybick: I think local, independent grocers have such an exciting opportunity to be the leaders in innovation in this space. The ability to be nimble and have an outsized impact on their business with new technology shouldn’t be dismissed and just because a solution or product uses AI doesn’t mean it’s out of reach for our peers. I’d tell other local, independent grocers who are considering smart cart technology for their stores that the benefits of incorporating smart carts into their short- and long-term business strategies are too great to ignore. From the customer impact, store impact and revenue opportunities through increased basket sizes and retail media network/advertising, paired with the lower than expected lift to actually launch smart carts in store, it seems to me a no brainer that smart carts should be on all local, independent grocers’ strategic radar with a push on sooner rather than later.

Original article found at The Shelby Report.

Big Y has opened a new market at 850 S. Main St. in Middletown, Connecticut, the second of three new locations coming to the state this year.

The Middletown Big Y market offers an on-site bakery with hand-decorated cakes and specialty baked goods, such as signature snowflake rolls, along with full-service butcher and seafood departments with six deliveries of fresh, sustainable seafood every week.

The kitchen and deli feature ready-to-heat, -eat or -cook Big Y Quick, Easy Meals including hand-tossed pizza available by the slice or whole pie, freshly made sushi, made-to-order subs and paninis with Boar’s Head Premium meats and cheeses. A selection of Boar’s Head products are also available sliced or pre-packaged in the deli.

It has a wide assortment of products and specialty items from local partners, including Arethusa Farm old-fashioned-style ice cream and specialty cheeses, Bear’s seasoned wings, Liuzzi Italian specialties, Hummel Bros. frankfurters and quality meat products and Lamberti sausage, Deep River chips, Lyman Orchards apples and pies, Gina Marie Bakery traditional Italian products and Chabaso Bakery artisan breads.

“All of us at Big Y are very excited to serve and be a part of the Middletown community with our unique fresh and local offerings, trained experts and state of the art facility,” said Michael P. D’Amour, president and CEO of Big Y. “We are proud of our exceptional and knowledgeable employees who are poised and ready to provide our Middletown customers with a remarkable and personalized shopping experience.”

The company broke ground on the project in April 2023. The building offers new green features like eco-friendly equipment, including energy-efficient refrigerated cases, a full- store generator and electric vehicle charging stations in the parking lot. This and other recent store designs are part of the company’s broader strategy to modernize its retail spaces for customers and employees.

Grand opening festivities begin on July 11 and will include giveaways, offers and sample tastings. New myBigY members will receive 500 myBigY Rewards points for signing up. Discounts are available every day for myBigY members using their membership, based upon their grocery purchases.

This is the second market to open in the state this year. The Brookfield, Connecticut, location opened its doors in May. New locations are also underway in Westport, Connecticut, and Uxbridge, Massachusetts. These locations will bring Big Y’s number of supermarkets to 77.

Original article found at The Shelby Report.

Cingari Family ShopRite, which owns and operates 12 ShopRite locations in Connecticut, is introducing a new “Cingari Family Markets” identity and a range of new, branded products.

Additionally, Cingari Family Markets will open two remodeled stores on June 17-18 – the ShopRite of Commerce Street and Grade A Market on Newfield Avenue in Stamford, Connecticut.

The ShopRite of Commerce Street, located at 1990 W Main St., will reopen on June 17 at a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. with Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons and members of the chamber of commerce. The community celebration will include family activities, a balloon artist, cupcake decorating and food samplings.

The supermarket has an upgraded, sleek exterior facade, modern interior décor and transformed produce, meat, seafood and bakery departments. The store also will feature “The Grill,” a new dine-in and take-out experience, a dedicated cheese monger, full-service butcher, expanded take-and-bake seafood options and a beer and craft brew center.

“We are thrilled to open the doors to a brand new shopping destination,” said Tom Cingari Sr., president and CEO of Cingari Family Markets. “The renovations have allowed us to create an unmatched experience with incredible service, quality and convenience for our customers.”

The Cingari family also will celebrate the opening of its renovated Grade A Market store at 9 a.m. on June 18 at 563 Newfield Ave. in Stamford. A Boars Head food truck will be on-site on grand reopening day to serve hot dogs and other samples to customers.

The store refresh brings updated décor and enhancements to the produce, seafood, floral and meat departments, as well as sustainable refrigerators and freezers throughout the store.

“The Newfield Avenue store has been an area staple for decades,” Cingari said. “These upgrades will allow us to continue providing the outstanding service and convenience customers expect, now within a completely modernized shopping environment.”

In addition to the remodeled stores, the grocer has also launched a range of gourmet prepared foods and products marketed under the Cingari Family Markets brand, including:

• Ready-to-eat, restaurant-quality prepared meals;
• Fresh-cut, pre-packaged produce;
• Read to cook, marinated and seasoned premium meats;
• Italian-imported organic extra virgin olive oil;
• Italian-imported organic balsamic vinegar;
• Jarred marinara sauce;
• Jarred vodka sauce;
• Organic coffees; and
• Locally-brewed beers.

The chef-created line reflects the Cingari family’s Italian heritage and its decades-long commitment to quality and excellence. It also features a newly designed Cingari Family Markets’ logo inspired by the family business’ origin.

“The Cingari Family Markets products pay homage to our family’s history, and the new logos are inspired by the original design, materials and colors my grandfather used for the very first store, while embracing a modern aesthetic,” Cingari said.

“Everything we do is built on the expertise and heritage of our family, now spanning four generations. As new Cingari generations come in, we modernize our approach to meet the needs of our customers while staying true to our core values.”

Family-owned and operated for more than 90 years, Cingari Family Markets owns 10 ShopRite stores and two Grade A Market supermarkets across southwestern Connecticut.

Original article found at The Shelby Report.

Big Y has been making significant strides in enhancing its stores across the region, opening 26 locations since 2022. These remodels align with the company’s broader strategy to focus on sustainability and modernize its retail spaces to create a more enjoyable shopping experience.

The new store design incorporates modern elements to inspire guests and reflect each store’s local community. The remodeled stores have been strategically laid out to benefit shoppers and associates, streamlining operations and creating a more pleasant environment. They have also added major energy efficiency upgrades across Connecticut and Massachusetts.

“Whenever we remodel or build new stores, we always try to upgrade to energy efficient equipment, motors, refrigeration systems, etc.,” said Maggie D’Amour, senior manager of environmental social governance.

“Big Y’s commitment to sustainability and community-focused design is evident in these remodels. As we continue to invest in our stores, we aim to meet customers wherever they are, providing a modern, highly-connected shopping experience.”

Big Y has executed the following in each store it has remodeled:

• High efficiency rooftop and refrigeration systems;
• LED lighting interior and exterior (95 percent of stores);
• Light dimming systems;
• Energy Star certified equipment;
• Building energy management systems;
• Night curtains or glass door retrofits on open refrigerated cases;
• High-efficiency motors;
• Capture and utilization of waste heat;
• Cycling anti-sweat heaters;
• Waterless urinals;
• Low-flow water controls on sinks; and
• Energy-efficient hand dryers.

As a result, these stores are saving 9.3 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by removing 840 gasoline-powered vehicles from area roads for a year.

In addition to the remodeled stores, Big Y also installed a 1.4-megawatt solar array on the rooftop of its new fresh and local distribution center. The installation is comprised of 3,100 solar panels and the renewable energy generated by the system will offset about 70 percent of the distribution center’s electric requirements.

Expanded in 2021, Big Y’s fresh and local distribution center provides local farmers and food producers with a one-stop location that saves them time and money as they don’t need to deliver to individual stores. In addition to supporting their communities, farms and other small businesses, it saves travel time, thus cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions. It also serves as a hub for all fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the year.

Over the past three years, there has been a company-wide effort to be Earth-friendly. These initiatives demonstrate the commitment to expanding solar energy adoption and addressing environmental challenges. Overall, these changes have reduced its total energy consumption by more than 17,800,000 kWh.

Original article found at the Shelby Report.

Upside, a digital marketplace for brick-and-mortar grocers, has established a long-term agreement and an enhanced tech integration with Northeast grocery store chain Price Chopper/Market32. This move comes after their initial partnership resulted in 500,000 incremental transactions from 50,000 customers.

“Thanks to Upside, we’ve made significant progress in attracting new customers and encouraging our existing ones to consolidate their food shopping with us,” said Sean Weiss, Price Chopper/Market 32’s VP of marketing. “Deepening our partnership stands to further accelerate that growth.”

Upside and Price Chopper/Market 32 aim to build on their previous success with the rollout of Check-in, an new receipt-less experience designed to bolster the impact of the chain’s AdvantEdge loyalty program by improving user reconciliation rates.

Further, Upside’s recently implemented direct data feed is expected to enhance Price Chopper/Market 32’s loyalty program. According to initial findings, Upside has effectively converted 25% of non-loyalty Upside users into AdvantEdge members who now make around one additional visit per month and spend more incrementally.

“In the face of heightened competition and consumer challenges stemming from inflation, Price Chopper/Market 32 sought concrete methods to strengthen its sales strategy,” noted Tyler Renaghan, VP of grocery at Washington, D.C.-based Upside. “Our partnership with them has proven mutually beneficial, enhancing both the company’s bottom line and consumer satisfaction. By introducing unique, profitable promotions, the collaboration has boosted Price Chopper/Market 32’s sales while helping value-conscious consumers navigate an uncertain economic climate.”

Upside also conducted a survey of its users regarding the partnership. The findings showed that the customers not only became enthusiastic promoters of the store, but also tended to spend more and said that they would continue shopping at Price Chopper/Market 32 because of its partnership with Upside.

More than 30 million people have access to Upside promotions through its platform and partner apps. According to the company, it has delivered to retailers more than $1.5 billion in incremental profit so far.

Schenectady, N.Y.-based Price Chopper/Market 32 operates 130 Price Chopper and Market 32 grocery stores and one Market Bistro, employing 16,000 associates in New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Parent company Northeast Grocery Inc. is No. 45 on The PG 100, Progressive Grocer’s 2023 list of the top food and consumables retailers in North America.

Original article found at Progressive Grocer.

The board of directors of Big Y Foods Inc. has revealed that Charles L. D’Amour will become executive chairman of the board, while the roles of president and CEO will transition to Michael P. D’Amour, and those of EVP and COO will move to Richard D. Bossie.

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Big Y Foods Inc. is growing its convenience store footprint in Connecticut. The supermarket chain opened its 15th and 16th Big Y Express fuel and c-stores, located at 50 Main Street in Somers, Conn., and 241 Hazard Ave. in Enfield, Conn.

The new sites bring the total number of Big Y Express locations in the Nutmeg State to six, reported Convenience Store News sister publication Progressive Grocer.

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Providence, Rhode Island-based United Natural Foods Inc. is using its network to help emerging brands expand distribution with UNFI’s customer base to better reach North American consumers. (more…)

Geissler’s Supermarket held a grand reopening at the end of February at its store in Agawam, Massachusetts. (more…)