Morrisons plans to install thousands of AI-powered cameras across its UK stores by the end of the year in a bid to help staff fill shelves faster.
The grocer, which has a store in Netherfield, teamed up with Seattle-based AI company Focal Systems for the trial, which saw cameras being installed that provide real-time data on shopfront stock availability, with the ability to automate decisions such as merchandising, ordering and pricing.
Following the success of the trial, the Bradford-based grocer now hopes to install AI cameras in all of its 500 stores before the end of the year, reports The Grocer.
The title says that Morrisons has seen significant rises in availability scores in stores where the technology has been tested, suggesting that it could free up staff to prioritise customer service.
Since arriving last September, chief executive Rami Baitieh has transformed the fortunes of the supermarket giant, who reported its strongest like-for-like sales growth in three years during a trading update for the first quarter. It saw like-for-like sales, excluding fuel, soar 4.6% from a 0.1% rise the year before. Total sales excluding fuel were up by 3.9% to £3.9bn.
Baitieh believes improving availability is a key part of transforming his stores.
He said: “In January I outlined our plan to reinvigorate, refresh and strengthen Morrisons as we started our next chapter.”
“Those plans are now in full swing with the whole business engaged in the three key pillars of work that will be the foundation of the future for Morrisons: commercial excellence, operations optimisation and new value creation.”
In the past other technology rollouts at the retail giant have been centred around security, including the deployment of moving ‘RoboCop’ style security cameras that sparked a backlash from shoppers.
