You may see a robot in these Capital Region grocery stores
EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The parent company of Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops is launching a Tally robot pilot program in some of its stores. Tally will be looking at inventory and pricing accuracy while not disrupting the customers who are shopping, said Northeast Grocery, Inc.
“As a company, we are always looking for ways to innovate and enhance both our operations and the customer experience,” said Scott Kessler, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Northeast Grocery, Inc. “The Tally robot allows us to address inventory and pricing challenges with incredible precision while giving our store teams the tools they need to focus on what matters most— serving our customers."
The Tally robot will autonomously go up and down aisles up to three times a day scanning shelves to find out-of-stock items and pricing discrepancies. Northeast Grocery, Inc. said this program will allow issues to be addressed more quickly and more team members will be available to help customers.
The pilot program will run from September through January 2025. These are the grocery stores Tally will be in during that time:
- Price Chopper/Market 32 in East Greenbush
- Price Chopper/Market 32 in Catskill
- Price Chopper/Market 32 in Amsterdam
- Price Chopper/Market 32 in Johnstown
- Price Chopper/Market 32 in Queensbury
- Tops Friendly Markets in Amherst (two locations)
- Tops Friendly Markets in Depew
- Tops Friendly Markets in Hamburg
- Tops Friendly Markets in Orchard Park
Northeast Grocery, Inc. said at no point will customers be photographed or filmed by Tally. The robot may make quiet noises while scanning shelves and if it runs into a guest, it will either pause, go around them, or turn around and come back later. Customers are encouraged to provide feedback on the pilot program.
"We’re excited to see how this AI and Robotics technology will improve our stores and are eager to evaluate its potential for expansion to other locations," said Kessler.