Autonomous stores, robotics and the customer experience

Autonomous stores, robotics and the customer experience at the forefront are the main trends on the food retail horizon. Increasingly focused on increasing profitability, supermarket chains are trying to understand the exact problem they face and are looking for solutions to their pains. They do exist and they largely depend on the ability to identify the current business situation, identify problems, react and understand the importance of the solutions available. Trends are challenging and the use of technology helps to increase operational efficiency. This was one of the themes addressed by entrepreneur Irineu Fernandes at the opening of the annual event of the National Federation of Traders (Fenalco) in Colombia. Fernandes founded an innovation and technology company for food retail, GIC Brasil, in the early 2000s and is the author of the book The directions of retail in the 21st century: Pandemic and Transformation. Retail is racing to meet and overcome challenges in a dynamic market. Setting targets, controls and action plans are the focus of food retail chains.
were cited by 70% of the supermarkets that took part in the 2022 Operational Efficiency Survey, carried out by the Brazilian Supermarket Association
(ABRAS). “Knowing the customer’s pain, helping to identify the challenge and offering solutions are fundamental to reversing this situation,” says the CEO of GIC Brasil, Ivan Fernandes. The
executive was appointed by the company’s board last December, after 20 years in administrative positions and as a director. The same ABRAS study shows that the operational breakdown indicator represents 57% of the opportunities for efficiency gains in the sector. “This item includes products that are not sold for various reasons, such as expiry dates, damaged packaging, items unfit for consumption, damage to equipment, among others,” the study defines. Perhaps the worst type of out-of-stock is display out-of-stock, precisely because it happens when there is a product available in the store but it isn’t on the shelves. How can we respond to this situation
? The use of proven technologies, such as automation, is capable of bringing these rates down below 5%, increasing sales volume with internal adjustments. __Practical knowledge prepares retailers for new challenges__ Knowledge is key to success in food retail. Accurate data for decision-making, sharing experiences and exchanging information
raises the bar for understanding ongoing trends and helps to train increasingly qualified employees. On this basis, in 2022 alone, GIC Brasil’s Corporate Education area held eight events aimed at the sector, including webinars and masterclasses. “Retail is undergoing important transformations and every exchange of knowledge is essential for its development,” says Eduardo Terra, president of the Brazilian Society of Retail and Consumption (SBVC), business advisor and speaker. Terra was the moderator of webinars held by the innovation and technology company for food retail throughout 2022. Entrepreneurs, executives and experts from the sector were invited to speak at the webinars and give lectures.