The shopping tech we'll be using in 2041

5 shopping technologies that Gen Z'ers will still be using at 40

Consumers believe virtual try-on, in-store robots and cashless payments are poised for growth, according to Klarna’s new Future of Retail report. These technologies are set to stretch across both the ecommerce and brick-and-mortar shopping experience, millennials and Gen Z’ers believe. In either setting, personalization and convenience are the keys to delighting customers, the study found.

America’s snacking binge shows no sign of slowing

Snackification is transforming American diets, and the food industry. According to Circana, nearly half of U.S. consumers eat more than three snacks a day, which is up 8% over the last two years. Companies such as Hershey, Mondelez International and Hostess are gaining as a result, while others like Campbell are boosting their snacks business to meet demand. Plus, startups are turning meal staples pasta and salads into snacks. – The Wall Street Journal

Birchbox assets sold; Tempur Sealy acquires Mattress Firm for $4B

In this week’s funding and M&A roundup, eBay invests in a fashion rental marketplace, Tempur Sealy makes a vertical move with the acquisition of Mattress Firm and the assets of Birchbox are scooped up by a subscription specialist. Plus, there’s new funding for an ecommerce finance platform and sustainable fibers.

How composable became the hottest buzzword in commerce

Commerce tech stacks used to be like the tasting menu, but now they’re offered a la carte. Composable solutions allow brands and retailers to choose the individual software components to run specific parts of the commerce experience that best fit their needs, from reviews to checkout. It’s part of a shift away from monolithic systems and custom builds toward systems that offer flexibility and easy setup. – Glossy

Egrocery sales rise in April, but there are big red flags

In April, eGrocery sales edged up 0.9% from a year ago, according to Brick Meets Click/Mercatus. But the biggest data point came when comparing repeat intent rates between grocery stores and mass retailers. This metric showed the biggest gap on record, with grocery stores trailing significantly. It’s a signal that grocers should re-evaluate their entire customer experience, says Mercatus CEO Sylvain Perrier.

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