Simbe launch helps reduce shrink in fresh department
Simbe launch helps reduce shrink in fresh department
Simbe expanded its store intelligence capabilities tailored for fresh departments, delivering near real-time visibility into some of grocery’s most operationally complex and strategically important zones. With expanded multimodal coverage across produce, deli, bakery, prepared foods and more, Simbe is helping grocers reduce shrink, increase availability and consistently deliver the fresh experiences that drive shopper trust and loyalty.
Fresh departments now account for 42 percent of total grocery sales and 41 percent of online grocery revenue, yet they remain among the most labor-intensive and shrink-prone areas to manage. The perimeter has the highest shrink in the store, with an average rate of 6.6 percent.
“From produce to baked goods, fresh is the performance center of the grocery store because of its importance to shoppers,” said Brad Bogolea, co-founder and CEO of Simbe. “Deloitte research shows they’re three times more likely to switch grocers if fresh execution falters. Simbe gives retailers the visibility and control to meet those expectations, at a time when outdated, manual processes are no longer an option.”
Simbe’s Store Intelligence platform empowers grocers with an integrated suite of solutions to solve these challenges:
- Tally, Simbe’s autonomous mobile robot, scans packaged fresh goods daily, identifying out-of-stocks and pricing issues with unmatched accuracy.
- Tally Spot, a fixed-sensor solution, provides high-frequency monitoring for fast-selling items like rotisserie chickens, pre-cut fruit and grab-and-go meals.
- Virtual Tour delivers immersive panoramic views of perishable zones, enabling HQ and regional teams to assess merchandising and freshness without needing to be onsite.
- Aisle Views offer time-lapse shelf imagery, supporting better planning, rotation and merchandising decisions across locations.
- RFID-enabled Tally Spot further improves freshness tracking and inventory rotation using real-time expiration data.
Simbe’s multimodal Store Intelligence platform delivers the real-time visibility retailers need to manage every zone of the store, including the uniquely complex perimeter. By combining autonomous robotics, fixed sensors, RFID and immersive virtual tours, Simbe provides full-store transparency, even in environments that have historically been difficult to monitor.
“Fresh is table stakes for differentiating the customer offer from online and value players, and timing of the execution is a recurring issue that loses the sale and erodes shopper trust. Simbe's fresh capabilities are a complete game-changer for keeping eyes on what shoppers see,” said Bennett Morgan, former executive vice president and chief merchandising officer of SpartanNash.
