5@5: Robots are taking over e-commerce | Healthier Halloween candy sells big

Grocers enlist robots to chase e-commerce

Grocers worldwide are looking to one-up each other in the coming year by using robots to help fulfill online orders. While reliance on this kind of technology within the grocery sphere has been minimal until now, investors expect it to cut costs and increase efficiency in the long run. Read more at The Wall Street Journal ...

Hey kids, enjoy this candy made with yummy quinoa

Ecologically conscious candy-lovers rejoice—there is a growing list of fair trade, sugar-free, vegan, non-GMO and allergy-friendly candies to contend with this Halloween season. According to food analysts, these healthy substitutes are poised to be more successful than ever, with the burgeoning desire for lower-sugar diets at an all-time high. Natural product behemoth Thrive Market has also reported a 120 percent increase in non-GMO candy sales as compared to one year ago. Read more at The Wall Street Journal  …

Avocados From Mexico turns to shoppable recipes to get more customer data

The US avocado industry is largely dominated by the company Avocados From Mexico. It has recently made the 700 recipes on its website shoppable through AmazonFresh, Instacart, Walmart Pickup Grocery or Peapod. Through the use of customers’ ZIP codes, the company can discern exactly where customers are shopping from, as well as determine the type of content that will push consumers to make the purchase. Read more at Digiday …

Coca-Cola targeting Generation Z with new tomato juice and ‘Sprite Lymonade’

Coca-Cola is moving into the coffee and health-conscious beverage market through acquiring thoughtful brands that appeal to the health-conscious nature of Generation Z. Targeting members of Generation Z has become increasingly important because of their expanding buying power, and more and more companies are finding that what this generation wants is healthier options such as smoothies, sparkling water and cold brew coffees. Read more at Atlanta Business Journal …

What this organic baby food company is doing to help working mothers

Organic baby food company Once Upon a Farm has plans to offer employees a minimum of 12 weeks of paid family leave, unlimited vacation days and flexible commuting schedules, as well as an additional six weeks paid leave for new mothers to recover. John Foraker, formerly of Annie’s Homegrown and current CEO of Once Upon a Farm, has emphasized that this decision emerges from the company’s mission of nurturing “children, each other and the earth in order to pass along a healthier and happier world for the next generation.” Read more at CNN …