PURCHASE, N.Y.—According to MasterCard SpendingPulse, the grocery sector drives more than $600 billion in sales annually, and each weekend shoppers lose valuable time visiting an average of four stores to find all the items and ingredients they seek.
But now the company says that with Groceries by MasterCard, the first grocery shopping app integrated into Samsung’s The Family Hub refrigerator, shoppers can now restock their refrigerator from the comfort of their kitchens. After its reveal at CES earlier this year, The Family Hub refrigerator with the Groceries by MasterCard app is now available at major retailers such as Home Depot, Sears, Lowe’s, Best Buy and others, MasterCard said.
“Groceries by MasterCard is a digital app that lets you browse and order groceries from FreshDirect and ShopRite by simply swiping and tapping the Wi-Fi-enabled touchscreen of the refrigerator,” MasterCard explained. “The touchscreen makes for easy navigation as you browse through selections. The app provides details on nutritional value, allergen info and freshness rating of products as if you’re reading a label in-store. If you are on-the-go, you can add to the cart via the Groceries companion mobile app available for iOS and Android.”
All items are added to a single, family cart, which can be built throughout the week by all members of the family. At the end, the final shopping list is approved with a four-digit pin, providing control over household purchases.
“You’ll pay for items in a simple checkout experience that accepts any U.S.-issued credit and debit cards, and can get the items delivered to your home or pick it up at your convenience,” MasterCard explained.
For the most avid grocery shoppers, MasterCard said it will continue to roll out new features through 2016 such as voice ordering, loyalty and rewards functionality, coupon redemption, and paying by gift card, among others. With time, the app will be able to provide personal recommendations and offers, and consumers will be able to pay for groceries via their MasterPass digital wallet, the company said.
“As more and more food is ordered through Groceries, consumers will have the freedom to focus on the experience that really matters: making, tasting and sharing food with friends and family – restoring the kitchen to its place as the focal point of the home,” MasterCard said.