Kentucy-based Badger Technologies, a product division of Jabil and a leader in the nascent retail automation space announced it has begun rolling out in-store autonomous robotics at a regional hardware chain in the South.

In a Dec. 5 news release, Badger said that Stine LLC, a hardware chain with outlets in Louisiana and Mississippi, would begin using Badger Technologies’ multipurpose autonomous robots in Stine stores to detect out-of-stock products. 

Badger said that its autonomous robots boast an accuracy rate exceeding 95%, which the company said will help decrease out-of-stock, or OSS, products by up to 50%. Additionally, in-store robots are enabling Stine to improve price-tag accuracy by more than 97%.

“Our multipurpose autonomous robots offer much-needed relief by extending staff operations and producing critical data to increase efficiencies and improve shopping experiences,” said William “BJ” Santiago, CEO of Badger Technologies. “The robots deployed by Stine are helping improve customer satisfaction, storewide operations, and retail revenues.”

Stine said in the release that its decision to introduce autonomous robots was driven by the company’s overarching commitment to its hard-working associates and loyal customers. 

“We always look for innovative ways to increase productivity by removing operational obstacles,” said Robert Spears, CIO of Stine. “Badger Technologies’ robots free our associates from time-consuming inventory checks, enabling them to help customers while ensuring our products are placed and priced correctly.”

Data-Driven Business Outcomes

Badger Technologies said its autonomous robots help alleviate many operational problems facing retailers, not the least of which is the burden of addressing persistent labor shortages. Additionally, in-store robots improve on-shelf product availability by generating actionable data and analytics to provide a more accurate view of shelf conditions.

The collection and correlation of sell-through and pricing-trend data, along with out-of-stock duration and frequency, enable retailers to prioritize product replenishment. Badger added that its multipurpose robots support elevating store safety and cleanliness by “…swiftly identifying hazards, such as spills of liquids, powders, or bulk-item foods, to further mitigate risk.”

Badger said it has deployed more than 650 robots that automate hazard detection and resolve a host of inventory and data disconnects to improve on-shelf product availability, price integrity, store profitability, and shopping experiences. 

For more information, visit badger-technologies.com.