#United States #San Francisco #Stater Bros. #Afresh #grocery

Stater Bros. Revamps Produce Departments with Afresh

In a significant move to enhance its grocery operations, Stater Bros., a prominent supermarket chain in Southern California, has announced the implementation of Afresh's AI-powered inventory management solution across all of its 169 locations. Following a successful pilot program, the chain aims to address common challenges in fresh food management while promoting sustainability and profitability.

Afresh is recognized as the world's first AI engine specifically designed to tackle the unique obstacles presented by fresh grocery goods. It targets issues like excess inventory and food waste, which have long plagued grocers. By leveraging this innovative technology, Stater Bros. plans to optimize its ordering processes, ensuring that its produce departments remain well-stocked without over-ordering.

During the pilot phase, Stater Bros. reported several key improvements. Notably, the grocery chain experienced a marked reduction in overstock and waste. Teams within the produce departments have benefitted from real-time data and insights that facilitate smarter purchasing decisions. This not only helps in maintaining fresh produce on the shelves but also enhances the overall shopping experience for customers, leading to improved sales performance.

Bertha Luna, Senior Vice President of Retail Operations at Stater Bros. Markets, emphasized the importance of this technological advancement. She stated, "With Afresh, our produce managers have a tool that can assist them in placing orders that reduce waste and increase shelf life. The result is fresher produce at affordable prices, which translates into happier and more loyal customers."

The partnership between Stater Bros. and Afresh represents a proactive stance toward innovation within the retail grocery sector. Dain Charette, Chief Revenue Officer for Afresh, echoed this sentiment by highlighting the collaborative success of the pilot program. He remarked, "We're excited to partner with a stand-out regional grocer like Stater Bros. Our pilot has been an incredible partnership, thanks to our teams' collaboration and Stater Bros.' commitment to innovation and supporting their store teammates."

The initiative is part of a broader trend in the grocery industry, where retailers are increasingly turning to technology to tackle operational inefficiencies. As consumers become more conscious of food waste and sustainability, the adoption of AI-driven solutions is likely to become a crucial factor in promoting better food management practices.

Founded in 2017, Afresh Technologies aims to revolutionize the fresh food supply chain through intelligent AI solutions. They strive to reduce food waste and make fresh foods easily accessible to all consumers. Currently, Afresh has established partnerships with numerous grocery brands across the United States, reaching over 5,000 departments in more than 40 states.

Stater Bros.' decision to implement Afresh on a chain-wide basis demonstrates a significant commitment to improving inventory abilities and enriching customer experience. With the clear and measurable advantages expected from this rollout, both companies anticipate notable returns on investment. As the grocery industry embraces digital transformation, initiatives like those of Stater Bros. and Afresh can pave the way for sustainable practices that benefit businesses and consumers alike.

In conclusion, as Stater Bros. embarks on this journey with Afresh, the supermarket chain stands to set a new standard for produce departments across the region, positively impacting sustainability and customer satisfaction.