Quincy, Massachusetts-based Stop & Shop has expanded its use of Badger Technologies’ Marty the Robot at stores across the Northeast.
Marty the Robot conducts product checks to help ensure greater on-shelf availability for customers by alerting store employees when items need restocking.
In addition to flagging out-of-stocks, the smarter version of Marty detects misplaced items while continuing to look for potential floor hazards and spills. Badger Technologies’ autonomous robots debuted at Stop & Shop stores in January 2019, representing the grocery industry’s first large-scale rollout of in-store robotics.
“Marty has delivered tremendous value for us already in terms of creating a safer in-store environment,” said Gordon Reid, president of Stop & Shop.
“With Marty’s new ability to find and fix on-shelf product availability and to confirm pricing information, associates can spend even more time with shoppers.”
In addition to new in-store duties, Marty is taking on a bigger role outside the store to support Stop & Shop’s “Feed it Forward” initiatives. Marty recently visited a young boy recovering from cancer as part of the grocer’s fundraising campaign for pediatric cancer. Marty also will be out more often to help fight hunger, honor members of the military and end breast cancer.
On Sept. 22, Marty will join Stop & Shop and the Boston Red Sox for an appearance at Fenway Park in honor of Hunger Action Month. Together, these organizations are working to address food insecurity among students through the Stop & Shop School Food Pantry Program.
“Over the years, Stop & Shop has done a great job of communicating the robot’s purpose, and Marty has gained a loyal following among shoppers and community members of all ages,” said William “BJ” Santiago, CEO of Badger.
“The addition of inventory, pricing and trend data with the introduction of this upgraded Marty reinforces Stop & Shop’s continuing dedication to improving storewide efficiencies while creating long-lasting value for customers.”
The new Marty uses computer-vision technology, AI-driven business intelligence and cloud-based analytics to improve the in-store experience for shoppers. Real-time inventory tracking enables the grocer to expedite restocking and price corrections.
Retailers are integrating robots like Marty to improve omnichannel shopping experiences. The ability to identify and resolve product and price discrepancies quickly increases the integrity of order fulfillment, warehouse, inventory, POS and e-commerce systems while boosting supplier forecasting and planogram compliance.
Moreover, having precise product locations assists with e-commerce, online order picking, mobile shopping apps and curbside delivery. Also important are dynamic updates on buying trends and customer preferences to personalize shopping experiences and increase store profitability.
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