RETAIL ENVIRONMENT
Robot stores could open new doors
Stocktaking could soon become a totally automated daily process for large stores after US supermarket Schnucks began trials using robotics technology.
The supermarket chain partnered with Simbe Robotics to test an aisle-roving robot named Tally in three of its stores as part of a six-week pilot programme, which began at the end of July.
Tally has been charged with scanning store aisles three times a day to help keep Schnucks stores fully stocked.
Tally will also ensure that each product is placed correctly with its appropriate shelf tag. Tally is designed to help provide Schnucks employees with real-time information, making it easier to do their jobs and keep shelves full for customers. The robot will do its daily storewide scans in the morning, midday and evening.
Dave Steck, vice president of IT infrastructure at Schnucks, said: “The data that Tally collects will be sent to Simbe, which will do on-the-spot analysis and provide us with the information we can share with our vendor partners and teammates throughout our organisation to help us have the right products at the right time for our customers.
“We’re starting Tally’s pilot with a focus on in-stock position, but we’re hopeful that Tally may open up a world of other possibilities with the shelf data it collects.”
The robots will be rolled-out across three stores in St Louis, Missouri.
