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Tag: online orders

  • Coronavirus: Apple Limiting iPhone Orders

    Coronavirus: Apple Limiting iPhone Orders

    Amid supply chain constraints as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Apple is limiting online iPhone orders.

    According to CNBC, “Apple’s online store began limiting U.S. customers to two units of each iPhone model per person this week. Customers can still buy more than two iPhones in one order, but they would have to be different models — for instance, two iPhone 11s and two iPhone 11 Pros.

    “The restriction applies to the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Max.” Apple is also limiting orders of the new iPad Pro the company announced on Wednesday.

    The news is the latest indication the coronavirus has had a significant impact on Apple’s supply chain. The company previously announced it would miss its quarterly guidance as a result of the virus, while analysts believe the supply chain issues could persist and impact Apple’s 2021 earnings. Apple also warned its store personnel that warranty replacement iPhones were in short supply.

    Apple taking the drastic step of limiting purchases is further evidence the company doesn’t see its supply chain catching up anytime soon.

  • Walmart Announces Alphabot—Autonomous Carts That Speed Up Online Orders

    Walmart Announces Alphabot—Autonomous Carts That Speed Up Online Orders

    Walmart has just announced the first of its kind technology aimed at speeding up online grocery orders.

    The Alphabot system was created specifically for Walmart by Alert Innovation and is set to help Walmart launch its first pilot program in their Salem, New Hampshire supercenter.

    Alphabot is designed as a high-speed automation system that significantly speeds up the process of collecting and preparing an online grocery order. The systems uses autonomous carts to retrieve the items and send them to workstations where associates “pick, assemble and deliver orders to the customers,” as well as check the final order for accuracy.

    As part of the Salem store’s re-grand opening, “a 20,000-square-foot extension connected to the store houses the new system and will serve as a dedicated grocery pickup point with drive-thru lanes for customers. When completed, automated mobile carts will retrieve ordered items – stored warehouse-style in this new space – then deliver them to our associates at one of four pick stations.”

    According to the company, “the vast majority of grocery products we offer in-store will be fulfilled through this system, though our personal shoppers will still handpick produce and other fresh items.”

    Walmart plans to have Alphabot running by the end of the year and hopes to roll it out across the U.S.