As grocery stores continue to struggle with labor shortages, razor-thin margins and other challenges — in many cases, as never before — automation is a tool that more and more will turn to in the coming years.
“Across North America, the use of robots in grocery stores is on the rise,” according to the Association for Advancing Automation.
Advanced technology enables robots to perform various duties, whether menial or complex.
From cleaning, maintenance, restocking shelves, and customer assistance to inventory tracking, order fulfillment, security, and surveillance, according to the association, robots reduce costs while improving efficiency.
According to Expert Market Research statistics cited by the group, the North American food robotics market reached $842.9 million in 2023 and is projected to grow to nearly $1.9 billion by 2032.
Robots play an increasingly visible role in the customer shopping experience, according to the association. Ensuring that shelves are stocked and floors are clean contributes to a more pleasant and efficient shopping environment.
“In addition to performing routine tasks, robots are being developed to interact directly with customers, providing assistance and information. Some robots have screens that display product details, promotions, and store maps.”
That level of interaction improves the customer experience and allows human employees to focus on more complex tasks. Additionally, the presence of robots in stores adds an element of curiosity and whimsy to a customer’s shopping experience.
A great example of retailers utilizing robot technology is SpartanNash, a leading grocery retailer, whose Tally, robot, an autonomous inventory robot from Simbe Robotics, has been deployed in the retailer’s stores throughout the Upper Midwest.
Tally monitors store shelves, ensuring products are stocked and correctly placed. And data it collects informs product stocking, ordering, merchandising, and e-commerce fulfillment via Simbe’s Store Intelligence platform.
The time saved and efficiencies provided by Tally give store associates more time to attend to other tasks that can’t be done by robots.
The association cites another partnership, between Badger Technologies and grocery chain Stop & Shop, in which the tech firm’s Marty the Robot has been put to work in more than 300 stores in the Northeast. Introduced in January 2019 to detect hazards such as spills and obstructions, Marty’s role has since expanded to include more complex responsibilities. The latest version leverages computer vision, AI-driven business intelligence, and cloud-based analytics.
“With these upgrades, Marty now performs product checks, notifies associates when products require restocking, detects misplaced items, and continues to inform associates of potential floor hazards and spills.”
Fueled by a growing number of consumers opting for online grocery shopping, the need for efficient and scalable warehouse operations is on the rise, according to the association.
Grocery retailers are turning to warehouse automation to address these needs. Using automated technology, such as robotics, sensors, and software platforms, warehouse activities are carried out with minimal or no human intervention.
“Operating constantly, automated warehouses ensure that orders are processed and delivered promptly.”
Brightpick is another company transforming e-commerce and e-grocery fulfillment with its Brightpick Autopicker, an advanced AI-driven robot capable of good-to-person picking, consolidating orders, replenishing stock, and dynamic slotting, according to the Association for Advancing Automation.
Brightpick Intuition software optimizes the entire robotic fleet, maximizing efficiency and accuracy. Businesses implementing the system manage costs more effectively, improve operational predictability, minimize errors, and reduce labor needs.
