Stop & Shop rolls out enhanced in-store robots
‘Marty the Robot’ is taking on new tasks at Stop & Shop.
Initially deployed at more than 300 Stop & Shop stores throughout the Northeast by parent company Ahold Delhaize to help detect hazards such as in-aisle spills in 2019, a seven-foot-tall robot model nicknamed “Marty” from Badger Technologies, a product division of Jabil, is now being used to conduct additional workflows.
The robot now conducts product checks to help maintain on-shelf availability by alerting store associates when items need re-stocking, and also detects misplaced items. In addition, Stop & Shop is using “Marty” to support its “Feed it Forward” community program by appearing at public events and visiting children in hospitals.
The upgraded robot utilizes computer vision technology, AI-driven business intelligence, and cloud-based analytics. Real-time inventory tracking enables Stop & Shop to expedite restocking and price corrections. Equipped with multiple sensors, Marty is designed to traverse store aisles while navigating without disrupting shoppers.
Other automated technologies Stop & Shop leverages include a walk-up grocery locker pickup option offered at select stores. The locker allows customers to skip the line by ordering their groceries online and picking them up from secure and temperature-controlled lockers at a time of their choosing. In addition, Stop & Shop connects consumers at certain locations with discounted food nearing its best-by-date via the Flashfood app.
“Marty has delivered tremendous value for us already in terms of creating a safer in-store environment, and we’re excited to announce these new automated shelf-scanning capabilities, which will deliver even more value for customers and associates,” said Gordon Reid, president of Stop & Shop. “With Marty’s new ability to find and fix on-shelf product availability and to confirm pricing information, associates can spend even more time with shoppers.”
“Over the years, Stop & Shop has done a great job of communicating the robot’s purpose, and Marty has gained a loyal following among shoppers and community members of all ages,” said William “B.J.” Santiago, CEO of Badger Technologies. “The addition of inventory, pricing, and trend data with the introduction of this upgraded Marty reinforces Stop & Shop’s continuing dedication to improving storewide efficiencies while creating long-lasting value for customers.”
A division of Ahold USA headquartered in Quincy, Mass., Stop & Shop Supermarket operates more than 400 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey.