Southeastern Grocers enhances store operations with workforce app
The parent company of the Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery banners is mobile-enabling store associates.
Southeastern Grocers Inc. (SEG) is deploying Zebra mobile workforce and task management solutions to its store-level staff in an effort to improve store operations and the customer experience. Leveraging solutions from Zebra’s Modern Store framework, SEG intends to align the staffing model with real-time demand, as well as automate scheduling and task prioritization.
Most of the workforce and task management features are held in a single daily touchpoint application installed on Zebra TC52 mobile computers that all associates at SEG’s 400-plus Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie can use for self-service scheduling and tasking.
“At Southeastern Grocers, we put people at the heart of every decision we make,” said Jennifer Short, VP of workforce strategies at SEG. “In today’s rapidly digitizing world, we realized the need to upgrade to the latest workforce and task management solutions to help attract and retain our most valued asset, our people. We have received positive results with the integrated solutions from Zebra, as our associates have more visibility into their workloads, ability to prioritize their tasks over time and feel more connected.”
“SEG is optimizing the work of front-line workers with Zebra’s retail execution software portfolio, ensuring all associates and teams are engaged and enabled to do their best work,” said Suresh Menon, senior VP and GM, software solutions, Zebra Technologies. “With Zebra’s workforce and task management solutions, we are helping retailers modernize their stores by streamlining workflows for added focus, which will create more engaged associates and lead to an elevated customer experience.”
Southeastern Grocers pursues tech innovation
SEG has been busy enhancing operations in various parts of its enterprise with technology. In March 2023, the regional grocer began partnering with Relocalize to pilot ice production in what the retailer says is the world’s first autonomous micro-factory. The retailer intends to eliminate middle-mile logistics for its private-label ice brand as a result.
The new ice micro-factory is located at the grocer’s Jacksonville, Fla. distribution center. It is centrally managed by an AI-powered software platform and utilizes robotics for 100% of production labor.
And as of February 2023, nearly 300 Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi are offering curbside pickup. The new option is an expansion of the grocery brands’ existing online shopping offering, which includes same-day delivery via DoorDash. Winn-Dixie also offers same-day delivery of online orders in partnership with third-party platforms Instacart and Shipt.
[Read more: Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s roll out curbside pickup]
Based in Jacksonville, Fla., Southeastern Grocers Inc. (SEG) is the parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket, and Winn-Dixie grocery stores. SEG grocery stores, liquor stores and in-store pharmacies operate throughout the five southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.