BJ’s adds inventory-tracking robots at all its clubs

BJ’s Warehouse Club is partnering with Simbe Robotics to include Tally inventory management robots into all 237 clubs, the company announced on Tuesday. 

“We are excited to collaborate with Simbe to bring their industry-leading technology and platform to our clubs,” said Jeff Desroches, EVP and chief operations officer of BJ’s Wholesale Club, in a statement. “By deploying Tally in all of our club locations, we will gain unprecedented insights which will leverage real-time data, enabling us to continuously improve our operation and ensure that we’re offering the best possible experience to both our team members and members.”

Beyond its product-pinpointing capabilities, Tally will scan shelves and capture real-time inventory data as it roams the club’s aisles multiple times a day, allowing team members to be more efficient and re-focus more of their time towards customer service, the company said.

“BJ’s Wholesale Club and its executive leadership are committed to providing the best experience possible for both team and club members, and our platform unlocks actionable data that will take that mission to the next level,” said Brad Bogolea, CEO of Simbe, in a statement. “Our team has partnered with BJ’s to refine our computer vision technology to accommodate the unique layout and product assortment in a warehouse club. By leveraging Tally to automate inventory tracking, BJ’s will gain transformative visibility that will inform decisions, improve operations and provide even greater value to members.

The Tally robot uses a suite of sensors to safely operate during normal store hours alongside shoppers and is fully autonomous, which includes returning to its dock station on its own, San Francisco-based Simbe said.

BJ’s Wholesale Club joins a growing list of grocery retailers looking to capture better inventory levels and out of stocks.

Following last week’s record-setting quarter, the Marlborough, Massachusetts-based wholesale club also announced five new club openings, including entrance into its 20th state.

New clubs will be coming to Madison, Alabama; Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; Johnson City, New York; Lewis Center, Ohio; and North Jacksonville, Florida.