How can supermarkets and grocers ensure they have enough fresh, fully ripe food, while minimizing losses and minimizing waste from food that is no longer at its best?
“In this context, it is imperative to use AI tools to meet or even exceed sales targets in special periods,” adds Victoria Corral, Solver IA Strategic Growth Leader. Some of the tools (or AI implementation models) that are being used initially but with increasing force are:
Demand forecasting models for evaluating product inventory in stores
Implementation of these processes allows an in-depth analysis of the sales behavior of each of the product references and their ordering pattern in each specific store or logistics center and in each channel – whether physical or online – which provides a final estimate of the expected sale of each item in each of them either on Short, medium and long term. In this way, it is possible to carry out proper planning of supply and order of products to suppliers.
Using cameras, computer vision, and deep learning
Other operations that are already being carried out with artificial intelligence are those that use cameras placed in the ceiling or shelves, in order to understand everything that happens in the store. Cameras follow customers throughout their shopping journey while in computer vision (computing vision) Recognizes products and detects various activities, such as placing items in or taking them off shelves.
Using on-shelf cameras, which automate writing, ordering, and then reporting to stores, track productivity by associated product, improve category management by store, and manage e-commerce platforms to remove substitutes.
In this way, the distribution managers of the companies can know the needs and product demand of any store in real time and know the status of their shelves, as well as the performance of the stores.
There is another problem on its way to being resolved with The use of artificial intelligence is the fight for space in stores, especially in the retail business. Implementing models that help stores make decisions about floor space utilization, product placement, and assortment optimization can enable stores to customize their assortments to meet customer needs.
Using artificial intelligence tools that allow or allow buyers to connect to products, through Real time identification of items once they are placed in the shopping cart For the purchase process, it will help to show promotions and discounts on related products. These AI tools enable real-time inventory management and insights into customer behavior through an analytics dashboard. Stores can receive reports that include aisle heat maps, merchandising tracking, and metrics for new product adoption.
There is no doubt that digital transformation and the use of artificial intelligence tools are key priorities for the retail sector. “All these digital developments and strategies keep us moving towards an enhanced, customized and updated shopping experience, responding efficiently to customer needs,” concludes Victoria Coral, Solver IA’s Strategic Growth Leader.