Brave new world for shoppers

Creating new services or matching those created by competitors is how for decades locally-based retailers have coped with an ever-more crowded playing field that has grown increasingly global.

This week a marriage of shopping and technology was unveiled by one local retailer, that will be closely watched by leaders of other small-to-midsized operations near and far. “Cannata’s Curbside” allows consumers to choose fresh fruits, fish and meats from home or work on tablets, laptops and smartphones, along with boxed, canned and bottled items, for later pickup at the store.

Professional employee shoppers at the chain’s West Park Avenue location can receive specific instructions from clients that could include the desired color range of individual bananas, or the preferred ripeness of avocadoes. Consumers who have used the service on a test basis are raving so far.

Lana Scott, a grocery buyer, peruses produce at the Cannata’s Market on West Park Avenue. She is one of several trusted employees now selecting groceries for the store’s new, digitally-based “Curbside” shop-at-home and pick-up service.

COURTESY