Today in Food Commerce: Instacart Announces Credit Card Launch; 7-Eleven Unveils Subscription Program

Today in food commerce, Instacart is partnering with Chase and Mastercard, and 7-Eleven is getting into subscription commerce. Plus, Aldi is opening its first cashier-less checkout supermarket in London.

Instacart Launching Credit Card With Chase and Mastercard

Credit card issuer Chase and online grocery platform Instacart announced Wednesday (Jan. 19) an expansion of their partnership with Instacart’s first credit card, with Chase as the exclusive issuer and Mastercard as the exclusive payments network for the new offering.

7-Eleven Launches Subscription to Make Delivery Economics Work in All Parties’ Favor

7-Eleven announced in a Wednesday (Jan. 19) press release the launch of its 7NOW Gold Pass subscription offering providing free delivery, double rewards points and select freebies for $5.95 per month.

Aldi Launches London Pilot of Cashierless Supermarket

Aldi is piloting its first cashierless supermarkets open to the public in Greenwich, London, Wednesday (Jan. 19) following a successful trial of the technology by Aldi’s employees over the past few months. Aldi’s new concept store, Aldi Shop&Go, enables customers to shop without scanning any products or having to go through a checkout line.

Paytronix: 2021 Was the Year of Ghost

Ghost kitchens aren’t just a flash in the pan. Hungry consumers are turning to digital channels in unprecedented numbers to answer the age-old question, “What’s for dinner?” For restaurateurs, this offers an opportunity to build brands without having to invest in costly storefronts, said Paytronix CEO Andrew Robbins.

Walmart Leverages Alternative Fulfillment Methods to Drive Delivery Sales With Away-From-Home Consumers

While grocery delivery orders soared during the early months of the pandemic as consumers sought stay-at-home alternatives to their usual habits, 2021 revealed the limitations of the channel for consumers who wanted the convenience but could not always be counted on to be at home. Now, grocers are rolling out alternatives to retain their delivery customers even as consumer mobility varies.