#United States #San Francisco #Simbe Robotics #Store Intelligence #Fresh Departments

Simbe Enhances Store Intelligence™ for Fresh Departments

Simbe, a leader in retail shelf digitization, has announced significant advancements in its Store Intelligence™ capabilities specifically tailored for fresh departments. This innovative technology aims to empower grocery retailers by providing real-time visibility into key operational zones, which are often labor-intensive and prone to shrink.

The Importance of Fresh Departments

Research indicates that fresh departments are vital to grocery sales, accounting for 42% of total grocery sales and contributing to 41% of online grocery revenue. However, they also face challenges, with an average shrinkage rate of 6.6%. Given that one in three shoppers prioritize quality when choosing where to shop, ensuring optimal performance in these areas is more critical than ever.

Brad Bogolea, Co-founder and CEO of Simbe, emphasizes the significance of fresh departments: "Deloitte research reveals that shoppers are three times more likely to switch grocers if fresh execution falters. Simbe's capabilities provide retailers with the visibility and control needed to meet these high expectations in today’s competitive market."

Advanced Technology Features

Simbe's Store Intelligence™ platform empowers retailers with an integrated suite of solutions to tackle the challenges faced in managing fresh departments. Key features include:

• - Tally: An autonomous mobile robot that scans packaged fresh goods daily to identify out-of-stocks and pricing discrepancies with unparalleled accuracy.
• - Tally Spot: A fixed-sensor solution designed for high-frequency monitoring of rapidly selling items like rotisserie chickens and grab-and-go meals.
• - Virtual Tour: This feature offers immersive panoramic views of perishable zones, allowing teams to evaluate merchandising and freshness remotely.
• - Aisle Views: Provides time-lapse imagery of shelf conditions, which aids in planning, stock rotation, and merchandising across various locations.
• - RFID-Enabled Tally Spot: Enhances freshness tracking and inventory rotation using real-time data on expiration dates.

Unique Selling Proposition of Simbe

Simbe sets itself apart with its multimodal Store Intelligence™ platform, which consolidates autonomous robotics, fixed sensors, RFID technology, and virtual tours. This comprehensive approach ensures that retailers can achieve full-store transparency, even in areas that have traditionally been hard to oversee. By enhancing visibility, grocers can:

• - Maximize inventory production and availability during peak hours.
• - Reduce shrink by promptly addressing overstocks and aging inventory.
• - Decrease food waste by up to 88%, aligning with both ESG goals and financial objectives.
• - Improve labor efficiency through autonomous scans rather than time-consuming manual audits.
• - Consistently maintain execution quality across multiple stores, even with limited onsite supervision.
• - Deliver fresher products and superior shopping experiences to customers daily.

The Growing Focus on Fresh

With fresh departments gaining significant attention, Simbe’s innovations are timely. Many grocery leaders recognize fresh management as crucial for the future, with two-thirds of executives expecting it to be a focus area over the next one to three years, driven by consumer demands and pressure on margins.

Bogolea summarizes the challenges and opportunities: "Fresh departments are where brand promises meet operational realities. Leaders using automation to refine their operations will not only enhance their team execution but also significantly improve customer service and growth potential. We are eager to support this crucial transformation with the needed visibility."

Retailers interested in learning more about these advancements can view the web page and video.

About Simbe

Simbe is the premier global authority in retail shelf digitization, aiming to revolutionize store environments into intelligent operational spaces. Through the Store Intelligence™ platform, Simbe combines mobile robotics, fixed sensors, and advanced computer vision technologies to deliver immediate and actionable insights across inventory management, pricing accuracy, and merchandising efficiency. The company serves various retail sectors, including grocery stores, clubs, drugstores, and general merchandise. More information is available at www.simberobotics.com.