MasterCard and Samsung jointly unveiled a new service called Groceries by MasterCard at the CES 2016 that will allow consumers to order groceries online directly from their Samsung Family Hub Smart Refrigerator.
Commenting on the new refrigerator line-up, Samsung said in a blog post that “Samsung has strongly reinvigorated the home appliance space with fresh thinking and functionality that have taken appliances from a ‘need’ to a ‘want.’”
In a separate press release, Samsung said that “Groceries was developed in partnership between MasterCard Labs and Samsung and will come preloaded in Samsung’s Family Hub refrigerator.” The press release continued to say that “At launch, consumers will be able to shop and select their needed items and favorite brands from leading online grocer and key integration partner FreshDirect, and ShopRite, the largest supermarket cooperative in the country with more than 250 stores in the Northeast.”
While MasterCard is the official payment partner and all transactions will be processed by them, consumers would be free to shop using other credit card providers, such as Visa. The press release mentioned that the app “accepts any U.S.-issued credit and debit cards.”
Besides shopping groceries from the family refrigerator, consumers would be able to download the app in their smartphone and family members can add items in the grocery list.
Once the order is placed, merchants will directly deliver the order at the doorstep and the service will not depend on any “third-party or concierge service,” which will make the shopping experience “more efficient.”
Commenting on the new service Chief Commercial Officer of MasterCard Labs, Betty DeVita, said that “We’re developing compelling, safe and seamless commerce experiences for consumers across channels and devices as we continue to eliminate the boundaries between how we shop and how we pay.”
She also added that in this day and age every device is connected to the internet and the ways in which consumers interact and transact with their favorite brands are changing.