Q:

Looping through mysql json data

Working with Laravel 5.3 and MySql 5.7 using json column type. I am not able to loop through the saved Json in my view. Here is how my setup looks:
Saved JSON in "Merchants" column: 
["stores", "website"]

Retrieving this JSON with Eloquent: 
   $navigation = Merchant::select('merchants')
   ->where('user_id', Auth::user()->id)
   ->get();

   return View::make('dashboard', compact('navigation'));

Lastly my View:
  @foreach($navigation as $key => $value)
      <li><a href="#">{{$value->merchants}}</a></li>
  @endforeach

The results don't loop through the saved JSON instead it just displays the actual JSON saved, eg: ["stores", "website"] however I want to loop this so it would list each value from the json array, eg:
<li>stores</li>
<li>website</li>

Thanks.
See my attached dump:

A:

You need to cast it in the model.
protected $casts = [
    'merchants' => 'json'
];

EDIT
You may need to change in your blade
@foreach($navigation as $value)
  @foreach($value->merchants as $merchant)
    <li><a href="#">{{$merchant}}</a></li>
  @endforeach
@endforeach

