News Briefs

Instacart's business customers have access to a new white-label service designed to meet the needs of urgent, "fill-in" orders.

The grocery technology company’s Instacart Business subsidiary is launching Will Call Delivery, a new offering tailored for distributors and business operators in need of rapid fulfillment.

[READ MORE: Instacart launches business-to-business marketplace]

Will Call Delivery is a white-label solution built for distributors to streamline same-day ordering via their sales reps. Business-to-business and wholesale customers that need items fast can order from their sales reps as usual, and the sales reps can then request an Instacart shopper pick up specific, high-priority items from their warehouse and deliver to their end customers, all in a couple of clicks. 

In addition, in an effort to better address out-of-stocks or service customers that are far from the warehouse, distributors have the ability to place orders from retailers on the Instacart marketplace that are closer to their end customers. 

This personalized, targeted fulfillment option is designed for circumstances such as when a restaurant owner needs a case of limes or chicken breasts hours before the dinner rush.

All Instacart shoppers have access to comprehensive shopper educational modules covering a variety of food safety topics, including personal hygiene, cross-contamination, time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods, and storage and transportation tips.

According to Instacart, it will be expanding Will Call Delivery and partnering with additional distributors in 2025 to bring the service, currently in pilot with select companies, to a wider group of businesses.

A new study looks at purchase data and shopping patterns at the country’s leading extreme discounters.

In 2024, 79% of U.S. households shopped at Dollar Tree at least once, while 60% of U.S. households shopped at Dollar General at least once, according to a report by Numerator.

The findings come as Dollar Tree has entered into an agreement to sell its Family Dollar business for $1 billion to private-equity investors Brigade Capital Management and Macellum Capital Management.

Here’s a look at the Numerator insights.

Dollar Tree

The average Dollar Tree shopper (includes Family Dollar) spent $290 at the retailer last year, making 20 purchases.

Also:

•Dollar Tree saw an 85% repeat rate for customers.

•38% of Dollar Tree shoppers live in suburban areas.

•Dollar Tree shoppers are 11% more likely to be boomers-plus and nine times more likely to be low-income compared to all U.S. consumers.

•Black and Hispanic consumers are more likely to shop at Dollar Tree compared to all U.S. consumers.

Dollar General 

The average Dollar General shopper spent $522 at the retailer last year, making 27 purchases. 

Also:

•Dollar General saw an 80% repeat rate for customers.

•Dollar General shoppers are 19% more likely to be boomers-plus and 14% more likely to be low-income compared to all U.S. consumers.

•White and Black consumers are more likely to shop at Dollar General, while Asian consumers are the least likely demographic to shop at the retailer, compared to all U.S. consumers.

•42% of Dollar General shoppers live in rural areas.

Numerator’s Retailer, Restaurant & Brand Snapshots provide a look at key shopping metrics and shopper profiles for a variety of U.S. retailers.

Prada Group also uses cloud-based solutions from Oracle Retail and Adobe to help collect and analyze customer data to enhance personalization and targeted promotions.

In addition, in summer 2024 the company began deploying the Adyen financial technology platform across all of its retail channels with the goal of creating unified customer experiences, including "tap to pay" payment.

[READ MORE: Prada Group offers mobile in-store payment, unifies sales channels]

Sweetgreen is launching a new, free loyalty program for its guests.

The health-focused fast-casual chain has rolled out SG Rewards nationwide. SG Rewards allows members to earn 10 points for every eligible dollar spent, unlocking more perks and access to members-only deals. The program also offers members the opportunity to enjoy their favorite Sweetgreen entrees or sides for free when they redeem their points.

With every eligible dollar getting members closer to rewards, SG Rewards members can enjoy a seamless experience whether on-the-go or dining in. Members can skip the line by ordering ahead through the Sweetgreen app, or scan in-store for a quick and effortless checkout.

[READ MORE: Sweetgreen hits 250 locations]

Sweetgreen says the new program highlights its commitment to “enhancing the guest experience through digital innovation,” making it more to order, earn, and enjoy rewards. It comes almost two years after the chain launched its two-tier Sweetpass membership program.

“We’re constantly inspired by our community, and SG Rewards reflects what our fans love most about Sweetgreen,” said Jonathan Neman, CEO and co-founder of Sweetgreen. “Rooted in what our guests love, SG Rewards offers more value, more flexibility and more ways to enjoy Sweetgreen — from everyday surprise & delight moments to members-only deals and special perks.”

Founded in 2007, Sweetgreen operates more than 250 locations across the United States. In its most recent financial results released on Feb. 26, Sweetgreen said it anticipated at least 40 net new restaurant openings in fiscal 2025, with 20 slated to feature its "Infinite Kitchen" robotic kitchen system designed to automate food assembly. 

An iconic American restaurant chain is offering delivery for the first time ever.

Diner chain Waffle House is now offering “Late Night Delivery” at select locations through Dispatch from Olo, a restaurant technology provider. Guests can visit the Waffle House website or mobile app, enter their location, and place their order from a participating nearby store. Olo Dispatch then finds the best available delivery provider, ensuring meals arrive quickly through a “seamless and reliable” experience.

Waffle House delivery through Olo’s Dispatch is now available at more than 500 of its 2,000 locations and will continue to roll out to more locations throughout the year. Waffle House launched online ordering and payment for pick-up with Olo in late 2023.

“We are excited to offer our customers another ordering channel, with delivery, to enjoy Waffle House at night,” said Patrick Marshburn, executive VP of Waffle House. “We will continue to evaluate expanding delivery to more of our restaurants in the coming months. We are going to bring the same commitment of providing great food and hospitality to delivery, ensuring guests can enjoy their Waffle House favorites wherever they are.”

[READ MORE: Huddle House to open four new Georgia locations]

Known for its 24/7 service, Waffle House operates approximately 2,000 restaurants in 25 states. Best known for its Southern and Midwest footprint, Waffle House opened its first restaurant in Avondale Estates, Ga. in 1955.

Over 750 restaurant brands use Olo and its network of more than 400 integration partners.

Uniqlo is teaming up with two partners to help keep unwanted clothing from going into landfills.

The global apparel retailer has partnered with Piece of Cake Moving & Storage and SuperCircle to launch UNtrash It – a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to help customers give their unwanted apparel a second life.

Clothes can be recycled in two ways. When customers book a move with Piece of Cake Moving, they will be given UNtrash It bags for their unwanted clothing alongside the boxes for their move. On moving day, the Piece of Cake Moving & Storage team will collect the bags and deliver them directly to Uniqlo’s Re.Uniqlo program for sorting, donation, upcycling, or recycling, which is powered by SuperCircle.

For those who are not planning to move, they can drop off their old clothes at any Uniqlo location in the United States via the retailer’s Re.Uniqlo bin. 

“Uniqlo is committed to taking responsibility for the clothing it manufactures and sells,” said the company in the announcement. “It has been collecting pre-worn Uniqlo items from customers to be reused or recycled for over 20 years. Re.Uniqlo is an initiative that gives pre-worn clothing new life and new value, providing customers with various solutions to appreciate and use clothing for a long time.”

[READ MORE: Uniqlo opens its first U.S. coffee shop]

A brand of Japanese holding company Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., Uniqlo operates 2,500 stores worldwide. The chain operates 68 stores in the U.S. as of Nov. 30, 2024.