Unilever is a prominent and leading FMCG multinational and is it leaving no stone un-turned to ensure its eminence is held strong. With the same objective in mind, Unilever is now transfiguring ice cream delivery in the United States (US) using latest technology.
As per reports, Unilever’s virtual D2C ice cream storefront, The Ice Cream Shop, is going live on the road in collaboration with Robomarts, on a trial run. Robomarts are basically mobile mini marts and with their one-tap ordering technology, consumers will be able to hail The Ice Cream Shop Robomarts to their location using Robomart’s proprietary mobile app. When it arrives, the user will swipe across the app to open the vehicle’s door. Robomart’s proprietary, RFID-based checkout-free system allows consumers to retrieve their selected products and walk away, without having to physically check out or swipe their credit card.
The Ice Cream Shop Robomarts will offer Unilever ice cream brands like Ben & Jerry’s, Breyers, Good Humor, Magnum and Talenti, in the Los Angeles area in as little as 2 minutes. The concept is being hailed as ‘a spin-off of the old ice-cream truck’ and ’21st-century version of the ice cream truck’.
We’re excited to work with Unilever – the world’s largest ice cream maker – to pilot The Ice Cream Shop as one of the flagship storefronts on our new marketplace.”
Ali Ahmed, Co-Founder and CEO, Robomart
Unilever is also partnering with Flytrex to facilitate ice-cream delivery via drones to all of Flytrex’s locations in the US including Holly Springs, Fayetteville and Raeford in North Carolina; and Granbury in Texas. The orders will be delivered to the customers’ front or back yard within 3 minutes of placing the order via the Flytrex app.
The delivery packages will be lowered to the customer’s yard safely using a wire and the Flytrex app will provide complete tracking information until the delivery is completed.
The new service will be operating in cooperation with Flytrex partner Causey Aviation Unmanned, under a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) waiver allowing a delivery radius of one nautical mile. Unilever says this radius will enable the delivery service to reach thousands of potential homes.
Flytrex’s delivery service is now available to 10,000 homes across North Carolina and Texas. The company has completed thousands of drone deliveries.
