Drive-thru ordering is getting an upgrade. Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. will be implementing automated voice ordering at several of its locations across the country. The artificial intelligence-powered (AI) tech, already tested at select Del Taco locations, will have a more widespread implementation following a successful pilot run. 

The company first started testing the Presto Voice technology, provided by Presto, last year. An AI voice assistant greets guests, accepts their orders, and also includes conversational upselling features. Orders placed through the AI system are automatically sent to the POS system and kitchen display system. 

• Read also: Taco Bell Opens Innovative Drive-Thru Store Concept

According to the company, the tech has improved labor productivity, increased suggestive selling, and elevated the guest and staff experience. It reports that 95% of its drive-thru orders placed with Presto Voice have been completed without staff intervention. Additionally, Presto states the upgrade minimizes human error, reduces wait times, and frees up staff so they can focus on the customer experience.

“With Del Taco’s desire to build a drive-thru that improves operational efficiency while delivering an elevated guest experience, the Presto AI-based voice assistant solution is a natural choice,” said Kevin Pope, vice president of operations innovation at Del Taco, in a statement. “The Presto platform and team have exceeded our expectations and we are excited as we prepare to deploy the solution at additional restaurants across the nation.”

Macy’s-owned Bloomingdales introduced its smaller concept store, Bloomie’s in the summer of 2021. The brand has been quickly expanding, and is now making its way to Seattle. 

Making its west coast entrance in 2023 within University Village in the Ravenna neighborhood of downtown Seattle, the more casual contemporary, curated experience will feature top brands across both men’s and women’s categories, including apparel, accessories, beauty, gifts, and more. 

According to earlier announcements, the store highlights merchandise that is rotated out multiple times per week, offering returns dropboxes, and buy-online-pickup-in-store as well as curbside pickup. 

Within the store, stylists provide personalized shopping experiences with the help of digital selling devices. These include customization and alteration services, and fitting room assistance through the simple push of a button. 

"We are thrilled to enter the Seattle market with the opening of our third Bloomie's location," said Charles Anderson, director of stores, Bloomingdale's. "The new flexible store experience has been well-received in other cities as it remains authentic to the Bloomingdale's brand yet brings a new and exciting energy to our shoppers. We can't wait to be a part of the community and for the people of Seattle to be a part of the Bloomie's story."

Bloomie’s stores are currently located in Fairfax, Virginia and in the greater Chicagoland area. This concept is part of its three-year Polaris strategy that includes testing smaller-format stores

Chipotle Mexican Grill is launching an augmented reality experience to promote its new lineup of Lifestyle Bowls that cater to wellness habits.

The new AR Lens on Snapchat will launch on Friday, January 13, also known as Quitter's Day, the day people are most likely to forfeit new year's resolutions. In partnership with Snapchat, the company created an augmented reality lens that encourages fans to move their body and calm their mind with Chipotle-inspired exercises and meditation prompts. One hundred thousand fans in the U.S. who complete the Snapchat challenges will earn a promo code for a free small side or topping of guacamole (10,000 codes awarded per day from January 13 through January 23, 2023. Offer valid for free small side or entrée topping of guacamole with a regular-priced entrée purchase).

Lifestyle Bowls are digital exclusive menu items available in the U.S. and Canada. According to Chipotle, the AR activation marks the first time a restaurant brand will promote physical activity and wellness through an AR Lens on Snapchat.

Chipotle said according to a recent trend report, 76% of 13 to 39-year-olds agree wellness can be anything that makes you feel good, and 90% of young people believe wellness looks different for everyone.

"We created seven new Lifestyle Bowls that embrace Gen Z and Millennials' modern interpretation of wellbeing," said Chris Brandt, CMO, Chipotle. "We're making new year's resolutions fun by gamifying the experience and offering balanced meals made with real ingredients that you feel good eating."

The 2023 Lifestyle Bowl Lineup:

• Balanced Macros Bowl: Light White Rice, Black Beans, Chicken, Fajita Veggies, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Guac, Extra Romaine Lettuce (61g carbs, 45g protein, 33g fat)
• Veggie Full Bowl: White Rice, Black Beans, Fajita Veggies, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa, Guac
• Wholesome Bowl: Supergreens Lettuce Blend, Chicken, Fajita Veggies, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Guac
• Grain Freedom Bowl: Supergreens Lettuce Blend, Chicken, Tomatillo-Red Chili Salsa, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Sour Cream, Cheese
• High Protein Bowl: White Rice, Black Beans, Double Chicken, Tomatillo-Red Chili Salsa, Cheese, Romaine Lettuce
• Plant-Powered Bowl: Supergreens Lettuce Blend, White Rice, Sofritas, Fajita Veggies, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa, Guac
• Go Half Veggie Bowl: 1/2 Chicken, 1/2 Sofritas, Supergreens Lettuce Blend, White Rice, Fajita Veggies, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa, Sour Cream

Best Buy has teamed up with live commerce platform TalkShopLive to offer customers the option for in-store pickup for the first time through the platform.

The platform's newest innovation comes in time for holiday shopping, eliminating shipping expenses while getting products to customers faster. The partnership launched December 12 via a live show hosted by TikTok star Noah Schnacky who highlighted some of his favorite products.

This is the first time in-store pickup is offered on a live shopping platform that is embeddable anywhere on the web, according to the company. TalkShopLive chose to launch its in-store pickup feature with Best Buy due to its longstanding relationship with the retailer, it said. Best Buy was the first major retailer to onboard to TalkShopLive. 

TalkShopLive's in-store pickup offering takes a step toward creating a seamless shopping experience for live commerce consumers and connecting the retail landscape. 

"We constantly strive to innovate solutions for retailers and brands to connect their live shopping experiences with physical shopping experiences," said TalkShopLive CEO and Founder Bryan Moore. "For our large retailer partners, we have proven that products featured in TalkShopLive shows often garner an omnichannel sales lift upwards of 1500%. As holiday shopping often leads to shipping delays, in-store pickup allows customers to have a personal and interactive live shopping experience without any worries on delivery times."

Getting flowers or sushi delivered from The Kroger Co. just got a little easier. 

The company has partnered with DoorDash to expand its delivery capabilities, now providing more options in the floral and sushi categories. Following a successful pilot earlier this fall, Kroger is now offering delivery from more than 900 sushi locations and 1,600 floral locations across the U.S. 

The offering allows customers to order freshly-prepared sushi or custom flower arrangements and have them delivered directly to their doorstep — or they can gift these items to others using the DoorDash gifting feature.

The company is running special promotions on these items through December 24, and the selections will also be available through DoorDash’s membership program, DashPash, which allows for unlimited $0 delivery. 

[Read more: Could the Kroger and Albertsons Merger Create a Powerhouse, Inflation-Proof Brand?]

"By offering customer-favorite sushi options and premium floral bouquets through third-party marketplaces we are continuing to evolve and meet customers where and how they are shopping," said Stuart Aitken, senior vice president and chief merchant and marketing officer, Kroger.

"Whether you are craving fresh, affordable sushi for lunch or want to surprise someone special with a gorgeous fresh floral bouquet, you can now have the items delivered in under an hour,” added Aitken. “Providing fresh, affordable products to customers using familiar channels is another step in our commitment to provide anything, anytime, anywhere for every customer, every time."

Shanna Prevé, vice president, strategic partnerships and business development at DoorDash said that the trend toward convenience goes in just a single direction as customers' expectations rise, “and we're thrilled to continue to expand into the prepared foods and floral categories with Kroger to satiate a lunch craving or delight someone's day."

Meijer is opening two new Michigan-based Meijer Grocery Stores in January 2023. The new concept stores – located in Orion Township and Macomb Township – will aim to make the shopper experience as convenient and seamless as possible, the retailer says. 

The company says the stores will be 75,000-90,000 square feet each and stocked with everyday essentials, fresh produce, health and beauty, bakeries, pharmacies, pet products, and more. In addition to providing a one-stop-shop for guests’ weekly grocery needs, the retailer says other design elements will help facilitate an easier store experience – parking will be built around a single corner entrance to maximize the number of parking spots close to the door, for example.  

[Related: Ulta Bets on Store Remodels and Loyalty Efforts to Sustain Growth] 

The stores will also aim to use locally-produced items, where possible, remaining in alignment with Meijer's aim to support local businesses. In the bakeries, for example, associates will serve up cinnamon rolls, banana breads, brownies and cakes from the Ann Arbor-based deli, Zingerman's. 

“By opening Meijer Grocery stores, we're introducing a new way for our customers to shop that provides convenience, value and the great quality our customers have always come to expect from Meijer,” said Meijer president & CEO Rick Keyes. “Our customers' needs are always evolving, and we're committed to meeting them where they are. That's why we're excited to share this new Meijer experience with the Orion and Macomb Township communities.”