Save Mart aligns CPG strategy with customers, suppliers using AI
The Save Mart Companies is deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to make customer-centric decisions and collaborate with CPG brands.
The California-based grocer, which operates approximately 200 stores under the banners of Save Mart, Lucky, and FoodMaxx in California and Western Nevada, is implementing the SymphonyAI suite of AI-powered tools. The rollout includes SymphonyAI CINDE Insights, Personalization and Promotions, Shelf Planning and Optimization, and Assortment Intelligence and Optimization solutions.
In addition, Save Mart intends to leverage AI-based capabilities to drive deeper CPG collaboration through data syndication, enabling the retailer and its key supplier partners to align more strategically around shopper expectations using current, comprehensive data.
Save Mart also intends to utilize AI to strategically personalize and target promotions to the right customers, engage new shoppers to drive larger baskets, quicky respond to trends and customer behaviors, and tailor assortments to localized customer demographics and buying habits.
“The Save Mart Companies is thrilled to partner with SymphonyAI as its retail solutions strategically fit our growth plan around a customer-first experience driven by deep data insights,” said Shane Sampson, executive chairman, The Save Mart Companies. “From past professional experience with SymphonyAI, I know that the ability to gather and offer exacting customer insights to our manufacturer partners as a single source of the truth is a game changer. It will help us be a better partner while giving our shoppers the personalized, intimate shopping experience they deserve.”
“By working with SymphonyAI Retail CPG’s AI capabilities, we have access to leading retail technologies that span multiple functions to create a customer-first connected view,” said Mark Van Buskirk, senior VP, merchandising and marketing, The Save Mart Companies. “Going beyond descriptive data to prescriptive, actionable results means we can focus efforts where they matter most and make better business decisions to support our customers.”
“We are honored to be selected by such a shopper-centric, forward-thinking retailer as The Save Mart Companies,” said Manish Choudhary, president and CEO, SymphonyAI Retail CPG. “The future of retail is the intelligent AI-powered retailer that deepens customer engagement while creating more collaborative, strategic CPG relationships., and The Save Mart Companies is leading the way to that future.”
Save Mart automates picking and packing at dark store
The SymphonyAI rollout follows Save Mart’s application of AI in another area of its enterprise earlier this year. The grocery conglomerate opened a dark store, which serves as a micro-fulfillment warehouse, in Mountain View, Calif. The dark store acts as a distribution hub for Save Mart’s same-day delivery and pick-up offering called Lucky Now.
Within minutes of receiving an order, Fulfil robots pick all categories of groceries, including refrigerated and frozen goods. The robots then bring packed grocery bags to a waiting area where human drivers collect them. The Fulfil platform leverages (AI), machine learning (ML), and optical and sensor technologies to enable inventory management and quality control. Mobile robots split and sequence items to prevent damage and minimize pack time.
In addition, proprietary dispense stations redistribute inventory to balance load, and sensor fusion algorithms confirm that items are packed correctly. A database tracks every item’s location, origin and expiration.
The Save Mart Companies, a Kingswood Capital Management, LP portfolio company and a California-based grocer, operates approximately 200 Save Mart, Lucky, and FoodMaxx stores in California and Western Nevada. In addition to its retail operation, the Company also operates SMART Refrigerated Transport and is a partner in Super Store Industries (“SSI”), which owns and operates a distribution center in Lathrop, and the Sunnyside Farms dairy processing plant in Turlock, Calif.