Midcounties Co-op has introduced artificial intelligence (AI) in a tie-up with Retail Insight as it looks to bolster its sustainability commitments.
The convenience retailer‘s new Prompted Markdown solution is a food waste reduction AI software that automatically identifies products nearing expiry and alerts staff members.
The feature is designed to make the markdown and stock exit process and procedures easier for staff by eliminating time-consuming manual checks and allowing employee’s more time to serve customers.
Midcounties Co-op head of supply chain Jordan Clement said: “As a Co-operative, sustainability is at the heart of what we do. Working with Retail Insight, we’re excited to be innovative around waste reduction by exploring new opportunities in technology.
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“We believe this development will not only help us reduce the amount of food going to landfill, but will also give our colleagues more time to do the things they would rather be doing; spending time engaging with and serving our customers and members.”
This latest solution builds upon an initial cloud-based software launched by Your Co-op in 2019, when the retailer first partnered with the store operation software provider.
Dubbed ‘WasteInsight’, the software aimed to enable dynamic markdowns and similarly targeted to reduce controllable food waste across its operations.
Retail Insight client manager Jessica Westwell added: “We are delighted to be partnering with Your Co-op on our Prompted Markdown solution to improve expiration date management processes and to gain labour efficiencies and process compliance.
“This is an exciting new stage for them and continues to build on the benefits already seen from our Dynamic Markdown solution.”
It is not the only initiative the retailer has invested in to meet its sustainability targets. Last month, Midcounties Co-operative revealed it slashed its energy usage by 11% last year, as it aims to deliver on its pledge to reduce carbon emissions.
