Food wholesale co-op enables members to offer contactless shopping

Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG) is providing mobile self-scanning checkout and counter service solutions to AWG member retailers.

AWG, a cooperative food wholesaler to independently-owned supermarkets, which serves over 1,000 member companies and over 3,800 locations in 36 states, is rolling out mobile self-scanning technology from FutureProof Retail (FPR). The FPR solution enables shoppers to use their smartphones to scan and bag items while they are shopping. 

Customers can then pay on their phone and skip the lines at checkout, as well as pre-order prepared food or deli items at in-store service counters and receive a notification when they are ready for pickup. During the COVID-19 national state of emergency, FRP is donating its line-free checkout solution free of charge to grocery stores and supermarkets. AWG members will receive preferential pricing beyond this phase.

FPR's technology is already deployed at stores owned by AWG member McKeever's Enterprises. "We are always looking for ways to enhance our customers' experience and make their shopping trip quick and more efficient," said Tim Cosens, director of merchandising, marketing & technology, McKeever Enterprises. "We felt FPR's solution was the perfect fit to accomplish that mission."

"FutureProof Retail's Self-Scanning Solution helps our members compete favorably in all markets served because it allows independent supermarkets to eliminate wait times at checkout and service counters, and it also enables social distancing in stores," said Stacy Bowen, AWG VP, sales & solutions. "It provides all required features out of the box and is easy to adapt and integrate into the existing store systems and processes."