While automatic kiosks, such as Coinstar's, have been around for close to 30 years, advances in technology are creating new opportunities for kiosks to be used more effectively in the food retail space, providing convenience for shoppers and a way for grocers to deliver targeted information and enhance loyalty. "This would include the ability to order and pay directly from the kiosk, saving customers valuable time and reducing cashier assistance and labor at the front end," said Karla Guarino of the Kiosk Group. You can read more HERE.

To cope with surging demand caused by the coronavirus outbreak, Amazon will put new online delivery customers on a wait list and focus its efforts on adding capacity for additional orders. Amazon also said it has increased the number of Whole Foods Market locations offering curbside pickup from 80 to more than 150, and has trimmed store hours so workers have time to fill online orders. You can read the full story HERE.

Pinpoint Software, Inc., provider of the leading expiration date management solution for grocery stores, Date Check Pro, and Agilence, Inc., the leader in data analytics and operational reporting, today announced their upcoming webinar "Reinventing Grocery | The Timeline to the New Normal" that will take a closer look at the emerging trends across the grocery industry post-COVID 19.

This webinar will be held via GoToWebinar on April 28th from 2:00 to 3:00 ET.

A new survey conducted by NCSolutions shows that while the initial rush by shoppers to stock up in the coronavirus pandemic has slowed, grocery spending is still 23% higher than before the outbreak, with customers now focusing on adding food and beverages to their carts in lieu of paper and cleaning supplies. "We expect Americans will adjust to a wider variety of the consumer products they're used to buying -- not only of brands, but also of types, flavors and styles," said NCSolutions CEO Linda Dupree. You can read the full story HERE.

Governor Mike Parson signed a supplemental state budget that outlines Missouri's response to the COVID-19 outbreak. He also established a working group, led by State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick, to make recommendations on how to best spend federal funds awarded to Missouri. You can learn more HERE.

Food production facilities, distributors, retailers and wholesalers are part of our nation's "critical infrastructure" and must remain operational to feed the country.

The Centers for Disease Control CDC recommends a consistent approach in how a company can continue operations in the event an individual has tested positive or is potentially exposed, given the global COVID-19 pandemic and high transmissibility of this respiratory virus from person to person.

You can view the most up to date information by clicking here.

FDA's Frank Yiannas Tells You What You Need to Know About Food and Covid-19

In order to decrease the touching of POS terminals, the global card networks are planning to increase their tap-to-pay and other contactless payment limits from $100 to $250. Purchases under the $250 will not require the use of a PIN code or provide a signature. Mastercard announced its plans on last week. Visa, which has yet to officially announce when the new limits will be in effect, has signaled that it will increase purchase limits that do not require PIN or signature.

"The Missouri WIC program is reviewing the impact that the COVID-19 event will have on the eWIC implementation dates of the rollout areas that were to begin on June 1, 2020 and end on July 27, 2020.  The current rollout map is available on the Missouri WIC program website here and (below)

If there are any changes to the posted information, the Missouri WIC program will provide an update as soon as possible."

- Bridgett Henderson
 WIC Retailer Manager

The Missouri Department of Labor has released an Employee Notice poster outlining the States' guidelines on unemployment insurance benefits. To view the poster, click here.