Re: Aldi overtakes Morrisons to become fourth biggest supermarket
Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2024 11:39 am
Morrisons installs AI cameras to improve availability
Morrisons is racing to employ thousands of AI-powered cameras across its UK stores by the end of the year, after trials showed they significantly improved availability and increased the efficiency of staff.
The supermarket has become the first UK retailer to make use of the US-originated technology, in a tie-up with Seattle-based AI company Focal Systems. It plans to roll the cameras out across its UK store estate by the end of the year.
CEO Rami Baitiéh has identified improving patchy availability as the key priority for his turnaround at the retailer, with the cameras able to provide real-time on-shelf data and automatically direct staff to where stocks are running low.
But Focal Systems says its technology has the capability to automate all decision-making in store, from merchandising, ordering and pricing to staffing and task and labour management.
The Grocer understands Morrisons has seen significant increases in availability scores in stores which have been piloting the technology, and hopes it will allow staff to spend more time focusing on delivering customer service, another key focus for Baitiéh.
It is also believed to be part of a plan by the former Carrefour boss to improve communications with suppliers about where customer priorities lie.
Whilst at Carrefour, Baitiéh developed a so-called ‘555 matrix’, which focused on staff always being available to serve the customer, and which he said hinged on getting availability right.
“The products must be available,” he once said.