The mainstreaming of AI is setting a new precedent for how people relate to non-human sources of intelligence. While automation on a consumer level has typically focused on specific tasks like replying to emails or budgeting, it’s now swiftly expanding to a more dynamic range of applications.

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.

After the launch of its Swift convenience stores in 2021, Iceland is expanding the chain with four locations in London. With the pandemic and cost of living crisis impacting people’s shopping behaviours, supermarkets are switching up their formats to meet demands for convenience and affordability.

As food prices remain high, Americans are focusing on how to maximize loyalty programs to stretch their dollars. Grocery stores and app-based food retailers are enhancing loyalty programs with noticeable pay-offs for membership fees and special gifts to keep the feeling of splurging alive.

EzyCart was developed to streamline the grocery shopping process, with payments, weighing, and more taking place directly in the tech-enabled cart. With people holding reservations about AI yet wanting to automate menial tasks, these kinds of products show how the tech can be useful in daily life.