Since the pandemic outbreak, it has dawned on every industry leader that technology and automation are the viable solutions to reach consumers. Since then, many tech startups have been inventing ground-breaking technology solutions to address various issues in the grocery industry. They are meant to reduce food waste, improve productivity and serve customers in the best possible way. Giant grocers have been the torch-bearers to light and pave the way, and others simply followed them by adopting disruptive technologies. These grocers include Walmart, Tesco, Amazon, Kroger, Albertsons, and the list goes on.
The grocery industry doesn’t lack any pain points and obstacles. From shifting consumer behaviours to a precarious mix of inflationary stress and supply chain disruptions, grocery leaders have faced it all. Fortunately, many tech companies have come forward to rescue the grocers and offer solutions that unravel all these enigmas in no time. Let’s look at some of the tech startups that are disrupting the grocery industry through artificial intelligence, robots and automation:
When we talk about tech providers disrupting the grocery industry, Simbe Robotics comes first. The robots developed by the startup automate the most monotonous, redundant tasks in the grocery and retail industry. Simbe launched its first robot, called Tally, to help grocers execute the laborious tasks of auditing shelves for out-of-stock items, items running low in stock, mislaid items, and pricing errors. Tally can complete its tasks amidst consumer crowds effectively. The robot saves a lot of time for store associates so they can focus on providing top-notch customer service. Grocers like Schnucks, Wakefern Food Corp., Giant Eagle and others, have partnered with Simbe Robotics. The employees of these grocery chains receive inventory and shelf data every 30 minutes during the trial from the Tally robot.
2. Alert Innovation
Alert Innovation is another tech and robotic platform that deploys a tailored e-Grocery solution that ideally suits a grocer’s strategy. The platform offers a suite of digital solutions after analysing the overall needs of a grocer. The tech firm has come up with the Alphabot® System, the capital-efficient, scalable, and adaptable e-Grocery technology suite. Alphabot System provides options like a store-level micro-fulfilment centre (located inside a grocer’s store, in a basement or in a parking lot) to dark stores that are dispersed widely. The firm automatically dispenses orders to customers inside the store, at walk-up order portals or at drive-up pickup points. The firm has partnered with grocery giant Walmart and successfully offered tech solutions.
3. Takeoff Technologies
Takeoff Technologies, a Boston-based technology provider, aids grocers offer the best e-commerce services through a flourishing digital ecosystem. Grocery executives and leaders analysed the problems while automating the grocery fulfilment process. As a result, TakeOff was created for grocers to solve their issues regarding digitisation. Grocers can adopt this solution and lower last-mile and assembly costs, working flexibly under no financial pressure. Woolworths chief executive Brad Banducci partnered with Takeoff to roll out the Millie robot that cleans up spills and alerts associates about hazardous errors.
4. Zebra Technologies
Zebra Technologies, a US-based American mobile computing firm, offers a wide range of tech and digital solutions to its corporate clients from many industries. With Zebra grocery solutions, grocers can augment every dimension of their business, including click and collect, point of sale, customer self-service, loyalty solutions and much more. The tech solution provides unprecedented data and analytics capabilities, from an efficient warehouse to speedy checkout for customers. Zebra combines grocers’ teams and helps them make data-driven decisions with a digital ecosystem. This ensures employees are connected to the digital tools they need for optimum productivity, teamwork efficiency and clear communication.
5. HelloWorld Robotics
A Kuala Lumpur-based tech startup, HelloWorld Robotics, is empowering grocers and restaurants with swift online grocery. HelloWorld robots are proficient in food sorting, grading, and packaging, and offer increased accuracy and reliability. Additionally, they decrease the operational expenditure of the overall food production for grocers. Consequently, many grocers have opted for these startups to utilise innovation in AI and computer vision to help food producers and providers.
Upshot
Technology and automation not only save time but also help them become cost-efficient and productive. As a consequence, grocers witness a surge in profits and increased customer satisfaction and engagement. Consumer trends predict that Gen Z is the most tech-friendly consumer base and grocers have to keep up to stay relevant.
