Save Mart rolls out robots to reduce out-of-stocks

A regional grocer is piloting autonomous robots to streamline shelf auditing.

The Save Mart Companies is deploying Simbe Tally inventory robots to autonomously audit store shelves in an effort to ensure products are in stock and in the correct location on the sales floor. The retailer is testing the robots in select Save Mart, Lucky/Lucky California and FoodMaxx banners in the Modesto and East Bay areas of California.

The real-time data and inventory insights collected by Tally can help reduce out-of-stocks by up to 30%, while providing store associates more time to focus on servicing customers. Utilizing Tally, Save Mart can scan up to 30,000 products per day.

Another regional grocer, Midwestern chain Schnucks, recently expanded a pilot of Tally autonomous shelf-scanning robots to more than 60 stores. Tally robots traverse Schnucks store aisles two to three times per day and autonomously capture inventory for approximately 35,000 products per store with each traversal, at a total of 4.2 million products per day.

As part of the pilot program, Save Mart will specifically deploy Tally in three Save Mart stores in the Modesto area; two Lucky California stores in Dublin and San Ramon; and two FoodMaxx locations in Modesto and Tracy. After validating the pilot performance, Save Mart may utilize Tally’s cloud-powered software platform and APIs to gain deeper inventory insights, improve in-stock conditions, maximize customer satisfaction, and increase in-store and online sales.

“Deepening our commitment to innovation with this pilot program is a reflection of The Save Mart Companies promise to our customers to ensure the best in-store experiences,” said Hal Levitt, senior VP of retail operations at The Save Mart Companies. “We’re pleased to have a strong technology partner in Simbe to support us in testing a new, effective inventory management solution in our stores and allowing us to provide better product availability.”

The Save Mart Companies operates 204 stores throughout California and Northern Nevada under the banners Lucky, Lucky California, FoodMaxx, Save Mart, and MaxxValue Foods.