Lowes Foods Applies Itasca Magic for Ordering and DSD Receiving

In a move to streamline and enhance its computer generated ordering, inventory optimization and direct-store delivery receiving, Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Lowes Foods has implemented Itasca Retail's Itasca Magic solution, which applies grocery-specific machine learning capabilities. 

“We had already seen benefits from automated warehouse ordering in a few departments in our stores, but our desire was to extend this capability to the entire store, including perishables,” Lowes Foods’ SVP Mike Clawson said in a statement. “Only the Itasca solution can do that.”

Clawson said he and his team selected Itasca Magic following a comprehensive evaluation of vendors who offered alternative solutions. “In multiple implementations, Itasca has proved that its technology and approach completely meet this increasingly exposed business challenge.”

Concurrently, Lowes Foods, which operates 97 full-service supermarkets in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, will also implement Itasca Magic’s direct-store delivery (DSD) platform, which links electronic receiving of high-volume direct-store delivered products to the real-time forecasting and computer-generated ordering process.

“Our successful work with customers very similar to Lowes Foods stores provides assurance they will continue and extend the good results in the categories they currently have under automated ordering,” said Jeff Kennedy, president and co-founder of West Des Moines, Iowa-based Itasca Retail. “Lowes Foods will quickly extend that capability to DSD and the fresh/perimeter areas of the store,” he added.

Related:1-on-1 With Lowes Foods’ President Tim Lowe

Lowes Foods LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alex Lee Inc.