Sainsbury’s is introducing the likes of automated demand forecasting to its supply chain, as it seeks to free up staff and speed up service for customers.
The UK supermarket is working with machine learning company Blue Yonder to build a new supply chain IT platform.
This platform will be able to automatically analyse sales and other data in order to forecast demand and replenishment.
It will also include space planning and range, warehouse, labour and yard management capabilities.
John Elliott, chief technology officer for retail at Sainsbury’s, said: “We relentlessly seek to improve the way we serve the needs of our customers. Having a predictive, autonomous and adaptive supply chain powered by world class technology products and Sainsbury’s Tech engineering means we can show up for our customers whenever and however they shop with us.
“Blue Yonder provided a strong balance of advanced capabilities, ML experience and a culture and value set closely aligned to our own, including a commitment to sustainability.”
Mark Morgan, executive vice president and chief revenue officer, Blue Yonder, said: “We are thrilled to expand upon our long-standing partnership with Sainsbury’s by offering iconic, game-changing, and customer-centric solutions that meet consumers’ daily and ever-changing needs, particularly in the critical environment in which we are all living today.
“We know how important Sainsbury’s supply chain is to the company’s rich history of success and the loyalty of its customers. Our innovative AI and ML capabilities have a proven track record of real results, and our end-to-end platform is unmatched in the market. Our goal is to make AI and ML become key enablers of Sainsbury’s future digital transformation as the company expands its remarkable, trusted, multi brand, multi channel business.”
