Shoprite Group using machine learning to automatically manage store food stocks

[Jan]

Checkers using artificial intelligence — here's what it does

Shoprite Group has revealed that it uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to predict sales at its stores.

Replenishment orders are placed automatically to manage stock levels, simultaneously reducing food waste.

 

[Fulcrum29]

I had a side gig with a R&D company 10 years ago which specialised in exactly this. Incredible tech, their standards put many to a shame. Can't discuss it though.

When I worked in logistics in the 2000s, we had similar tech in export and distribution to determine waste in shipping.

 

[Syphonx]

Doesn't work very well, last time I went to Checkers there were no cucumbers or bananas at all. These aren't seasonal or imported goods.

 

[Polymathic]

***EFF prepares to march on traffic lights

 

[RedViking]

PnP does it as well. Dont have storage or stock rooms anymore.

However they often don't have stock of things because the actual logistics of things don't work so well with the data collection and allocation.

 

[The_MAC]

My local Spar uses a spreadsheet, and I suspect that many undesired filters are on and many columns hidden..

 

[RedViking]

My local Spar uses a spreadsheet, and I suspect that many undesired filters are on and many columns hidden..

Spar owners tend to be dodgy people. Couple of times in the news. A lot of them stink, sell vrot food and looks like the back end of a shebeen.

Unless you have one of those fancy SUPER spars.

 

[supersunbird]

Checkers using artificial intelligence — here's what it does

Shoprite Group has revealed that it uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to predict sales at its stores.

Replenishment orders are placed automatically to manage stock levels, simultaneously reducing food waste.

One can but hope that it works and then orders the popular flavours in time, so that not only the less popular flavours of a product are left.

 

[Not_original]

Spar owners tend to be dodgy people. Couple of times in the news. A lot of them stink, sell vrot food and looks like the back end of a shebeen.

Unless you have one of those fancy SUPER spars.

Two Superspars here. Definitely a step above the rest we have. Got a Checkers which is quite nice, but their absolute lack of fine bakery sucks, they're in a mall so parking sucks, the layout sucks, so if I want to do some quick shopping I go to the Suoerspar I pass on my way home.

We have a Pick 'n Pay, Shoprite and a Choppies, which opened in my favourite Spar old location. So when the initial special rush died down I figured I pop in to see if will be even better for a quick stop as they have a massive parking. Walk in and where the cold boxes with the deli meat used to be, there is literally a pile of chicken feet (think dumping two refuse bags worth onto a heap) and a pile of chuck piled the same sitting next to each other with their juices working out what to do with each other. Turned around and never went back, not even for canned food will I go in there.

 

[j4ck455]

Shoprite sustainability manager Sanjeev Raghubir said that the AI model uses various parameters.

That just sounds like an algorithm, where's the AI aspect of it?

 

[rvZA]

Doesn't work very well, last time I went to Checkers there were no cucumbers or bananas at all. These aren't seasonal or imported goods.

Do not underestimate our lack of farmers either. You will be surprised if you ever hear the truth.

 

[hj007]

That just sounds like an algorithm, where's the AI aspect of it?

That was the marketing speak for the article/get the contract. Finding clusters of significant variables do not an AI system make.

 

[maumau]

Two Superspars here. Definitely a step above the rest we have. Got a Checkers which is quite nice, but their absolute lack of fine bakery sucks, they're in a mall so parking sucks, the layout sucks, so if I want to do some quick shopping I go to the Suoerspar I pass on my way home.

We have a Pick 'n Pay, Shoprite and a Choppies, which opened in my favourite Spar old location. So when the initial special rush died down I figured I pop in to see if will be even better for a quick stop as they have a massive parking. Walk in and where the cold boxes with the deli meat used to be, there is literally a pile of chicken feet (think dumping two refuse bags worth onto a heap) and a pile of chuck piled the same sitting next to each other with their juices working out what to do with each other. Turned around and never went back, not even for canned food will I go in there.

which shop was that, Spar?

 

[supersunbird]

which shop was that, Spar?

Choppies, it says it right there.

 

[maumau]

Choppies, it says it right there.

Oh right, never heard of them so I thought it was a nickname.

 

[RedViking]

That just sounds like an algorithm, where's the AI aspect of it?

We call a traffic light a robot and you want to know where is the AI?

 

[Sanzer]

Checkers using artificial intelligence — here's what it does

Shoprite Group has revealed that it uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to predict sales at its stores.

Replenishment orders are placed automatically to manage stock levels, simultaneously reducing food waste.

This is nothing new. All of the major retailers use F& R systems which have elements of AI. The aim is reduce stock holding and predict sales and promotional volumes. Even with these systems there are elements of unpredictability brought on by covid, riots and more recently the flooding in KZN. I see a new additional to F&R systems are now weather patterns.

 

[j4ck455]

This is nothing new. All of the major retailers use F& R systems which have elements of AI. The aim is reduce stock holding and predict sales and promotional volumes. Even with these systems there are elements of unpredictability brought on by covid, riots and more recently the flooding in KZN. I see a new additional to F&R systems are now weather patterns.

Until I am presented with proper evidence that machine learning has been developed and incorporated into Checker/Shoprite systems, it's all just a set of "clever" algorithms.

I expect these algorithms will also be taking into account diesel prices and potential fuel shortages, possibly even freight rail transport issues (like the tracks being stolen on a regular basis).

 

[dualmeister]

So maybe this year they won't run out of Guinness Beer on St Patrick's Day again

 

[Magnum]

So maybe this year they won't run out of Guinness Beer on St Patrick's Day again

Patties is bad, OKEY.