General Motors subsidiary BrightDrop said Kroger will be the first customer to introduce the Trace Grocery eCart into its e-commerce operations, starting 2022. The electric-powered cart enables store associates to put orders directly into the unit and station it curbside for customers to pick up their groceries. After providing digital verification, customers open the designated drawer and take their items.
BrightDrop said the upcoming rollout follows a pilot program completed with Cincinnati-based Kroger at stores in Lexington and Versailles, Ky., in which the retailer saw “a noticeable improvement” in the customer and associate experience. BrightDrop reported that the cart decreased time to serve by up to 34%.
Temperature management in Trace Grocery allows grocers to store pickup-ordered items at food-safe temperatures for up to 4 hours, BrightDrop reported. The eCart also features propulsion assistance to move up to 350 pounds of groceries, reducing physical strain on workers, as well as auto-braking to stop the electric motor, which matches an operator’s walking speed of up to 3 mph.
Nine compartments segment items by order, temperature and product type. Trace Grocery also sports weatherproofing to handle variable temperatures and outdoor elements, BrightDrop said. The unit is compatible with most grocers’ online fulfilment apps, providing more flexibility for customers when retrieving their purchases. Full-scale availability of Trace Grocery is expected in 2024, with advanced customizable capabilities planned later on, according to the company.
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