Mexican convenience store Oxxo has opened its first cashier-less store, allowing customers to grab and go with ease. The store is testing out the tech's efficacy before expanding its smart store locations, leaning into people’s desire for immediate gratification while navigating tech safety concerns.

Americans’ approach to using technology in their shopping journeys has fundamentally shifted due to COVID-19, providing new opportunities for brands as pandemic restrictions come to an end. Canvas8 polled 1,020 people and spoke to eight individuals to explore this topic in depth.

Throughout the pandemic, people became accustomed to hyper-convenient and efficient shopping services and now expect similar standards from brands in a post-pandemic world. To meet demands, companies are leveraging technology to remove even the smallest frictions across the customer journey, from the IRL experience to home delivery.

The pandemic saw many people pivot to shopping for groceries online – whether for convenience, hygiene, or personal safety. As in-store shopping becomes normalised for Britons again, online-only retailer Ocado is still winning fans and it’s continuing to innovate to drive consumer loyalty.