Market Profile

MarketTrends

The latest trends in the convenience store industry in Canada are:

Technology integration: Self check-out kiosks, scan-and-go technology are the latest additions to the industry establishments. Currently, Walmart Canada is testing its scan-and-go technology where shoppers scan the barcode of their items using a portable scanner available in the store.

Amazon Go: Amazon opened its Amazon Go stores which incorporated its ‘Just Walk Out’ technology in Seattle to its employees. Customers with a smartphone, an Amazon account and the Amazon Go app, could simply walk into store and walk out again with their selected products, with all items automatically charged to customers’ Amazon accounts. This technology can detect when products are taken or returned to the shelves and keeps track of them in your virtual cart.

Added Convenience: Canadian retailers are trying to compete with the new offering by Amazon GO. Hence, they are providing added convenience to customers. Loblaw announced a partnership with Metrolinx to offer its new PC Express service in five GO Transit stations in the Greater Toronto Area. The service will allow commuters to pre-order groceries online for pickup during their next day’s commute.

Meal kits: Meal kits are growing in popularity due to the lack of time amongst consumers to prepare and assemble meals. Meal kits provide an all-in-one solution that includes a variety of ingredients with simple instructions. According to Mintel research on delivery services and meal kits, the number of companies offering meal kits is on the rise. As consumers today become increasingly pressed for time and key segments look to grocery retailers for time-saving offerings when it comes to preparing meals, this is likely an area where the market will see greater investment.

Source: http://www.mintel.com/blog/retail-market-news/canadian-grocery-retail-trends