SpartanNash expands use of its autonomous inventory robot 'Tally'

Food solutions company SpartanNash announced expansion plans for the use of an autonomous inventory robot named Tally in 15 grocery stores in Michigan and Indiana. The robot was developed by retail technology company Simbe.

After a successful pilot in select D&W Fresh Market stores, Grand Rapids, Mich.-based SpartanNash is implementing Simbe's solution in additional Family Fare and Martin's Super Market stores. The real-time data intelligence that Tally provides helps ensure store guests' favorite items always stay fresh, adequately stocked and priced competitively.

"Tally's speed, accuracy and automation enable our associates to save time in inventory tracking and spend more time on the floor serving store guests," said SpartanNash Executive Vice President, Corporate Retail Tom Swanson.

Tally is a quiet, slim robot that unobtrusively traverses store aisles throughout the day, leveraging 3-D computer vision technology to collect highly accurate shelf data. It can capture 15,000 to 30,000 products an hour, ensuring products remain in stock, in the correct location, and accurately priced.

"It's been so rewarding working together to further deploy our retail solution," said Simbe Robotics Co-Founder and CEO Brad Bogolea. "We're excited to continue providing powerful insights for SpartanNash to help improve the shopping experience for store guests and associates." 

As part of SpartanNash's commitment to customer-focused innovation, this announcement follows the company's recent pilot with food technology platform Afresh Technologies.

"SpartanNash is positively influencing our store guest experience through new-to-world technology innovations such as Tally to help us in our mission to deliver the ingredients for a better life," said Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy and Information Officer Masiar Tayebi.