Wakefern expands use of AI, robotic inventory to more ShopRite stores

Wakefern Food Corp. will expand the use of a robotic inventory solution from Simbe Robotics Inc. to additional ShopRite stores after a successful pilot in 20 stores. ShopRite will use Simbe’s Tally’s AI-powered robot to optimize inventory management. 

Wakefern first began integrating Simbe’s business intelligence solution to drive inventory optimization at the stores and help retail associates do more impactful, customer-facing work. Tally autonomously scans shelves of product using AI to identify out-of-stock, misplaced or mispriced products, as well as generate comprehensive product location data for efficient inventory replenishment. Simbe then provides real-time actionable insights to drive improved store operations. 

“Tally has proven to be the ideal shelf-intelligence solution for our members as it’s been able to roll right into our technology ecosystem, sending real-time shelf condition data directly to retail associates’ handheld devices,” said Charles McWeeney, Wakefern Food Corp.’s vice president of technology, innovation and strategy. “With timely, consistent and accurate product data from Tally, our in-store mobile application presents a prioritized aisle by aisle inventory worklist to the store associates, ensuring they invest their time in the most meaningful and valuable services for our customers.”

Tally’s AI-powered platform detects out-of-stock items at more than 99% accuracy and frees up dozens of hours per week for store teams to focus on other important tasks, Simbe said. Tally autonomously roams stores multiple times per day, and requires only one day to set up. 

ShopRite operates approximately 280 supermarkets located throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware and Maryland. The grocer is a banner of Wakefern Food Corp. who independently own and operate hundreds of supermarkets under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage, and Fairway Market banners.

During the past few months, BJ’s Whole Club deployed Tally’s AI-powered platform chainwide, and SpartanNash added Tally in 15 grocery stores in Michigan and Indiana.