#United States #San Francisco #Advisory Board #Simbe Robotics #Intelligent Retail

Introduction

In a pivotal move to further enhance its role in the retail sector, Simbe Robotics has recently announced the formation of its Strategic Advisory Board. The board is designed to unite influential industry leaders, bringing their collective expertise to shape the future of intelligent retail operations. This strategic initiative comes at a time when the retail landscape is undergoing rapid changes and demands innovative solutions.

Context of the Announcement

The need for a strategic guiding body is underscored by recent data indicating a staggering 91.59% year-over-year surge in capital expenditure across the retail industry as of Q2 2025. Retailers are not only investing heavily in in-store technology—an astonishing 151% increase compared to the previous year—but are also striving to tackle pressing challenges associated with labor shortages and the complexities of omnichannel execution.

Despite significant investments in various facets like supply chain and e-commerce, there remains an alarming gap in store-level data utilization. Retailers frequently face operational inefficiencies, with many items unavailable on shelves. Research shows that 1 in 5 sought-after products are out of stock in stores, leading to unhappy customers who often turn to competitors in these scenarios. Furthermore, a high percentage of online orders are subject to substitutions or fulfillment issues, eroding customer trust and satisfaction.

Challenges in Retail Operations

The issues within retail aren't solely financial; they have profound operational roots as well. Store teams typically spend extensive hours conducting manual audits that lack efficiency when compared to automated solutions. Furthermore, these tedious tasks contribute to high employee turnover rates, exacerbating the labor crisis within the retail sector. Insufficient data accuracy also hampers effective merchandising and pricing strategies, ultimately leading to diminished supplier confidence and disjointed omnichannel operations.

The Vision Behind the Advisory Board

In response to these challenges, Caitlin Allen, Senior Vice President of Market and Strategic Advisory Board Chair at Simbe, articulated the necessity of addressing the "store data desert." The formation of the Strategic Advisory Board is an integral step in this journey. The board consists of seasoned professionals with extensive backgrounds in technology and retail management, all united by the goal of bridging the data gap that currently hinders retail performance.

Members of the Advisory Board

The distinguished members of the Strategic Advisory Board include:

• - Anne Mezzenga: Co-founder and CEO of OmniTalk, with a remarkable history at Target where she led the Store of the Future project.
• - Bennett Morgan: A senior advisor at BCG and former executive with leading companies like Amazon and Walmart, bringing decades of merchandising expertise.
• - Bob Hardester: Former Chief Information Officer and Chief Supply Chain Officer at Schnucks Markets, specializing in digital transformations.
• - Bruce Burrows: An experienced CIO with a history of impactful IT and supply chain modernization initiatives.
• - Chris Walton: Co-CEO and Co-founder of OmniTalk, who previously oversaw merchandising strategies at Target.
• - Marybeth Hays: A prominent figure in retail with experience at Walmart U.S. and various private equity board roles.
• - Sean Spillane: An expert in strategy and real estate, with many years developing retail strategies at Stop & Shop.

These leaders aim to facilitate a transformative approach to the way data is harnessed within retail spaces. They share a conviction that bridging the gap between the data available and actionable insights holds the key to improving overall retail performance.

Expert in Residence

In addition to the advisory board's formation, Simbe has appointed Dave Steck as the Expert in Residence. A former VP of IT and Emerging Technology at Schnuck Markets, Steck has been crucial in establishing a long-term partnership with Simbe, initiating the deployment of autonomous shelf-scanning robots on a large scale.

Steck emphasized the importance of digitizing the shelf, stating, “Retail's future depends on transforming the last mile—the shelf—into a digitized, intelligent layer.” This vision echoes Simbe’s commitment to being the frontrunner in the next stage of retail innovation.

Conclusion

As Simbe Robotics lays down the foundation for the future of intelligent retail operations through its new Strategic Advisory Board, the announcement signals an exciting era for retailers looking to overcome operational inefficiencies and enhance their in-store experiences. By leveraging advanced technologies and expert guidance, Simbe aims to lead the way in resolving long-standing issues within the retail sector. With a diverse range of seasoned professionals dedicated to this mission, the future of retail appears increasingly promising.

For more information on Simbe and its innovative approach to retail, visit www.simberobotics.com.