Woolworths Australia deploys Takeoff micro fulfilment tech in Melbourne
Woolworths Australia has launched its first supermarket featuring automated picking technology.
The retailer last year announced a tie up with Takeoff Technologies covering an initial three sites.
The first store is in Carrum Downs in south east Melbourne. The 2,400 sqm space uses technology to sort and move products from automated storage units directly to team members hand picking customer orders.
These units can hold up to 10,000 of the most in-demand grocery products, while fresh fruit and vegetables and meat will continue to be picked from the shopfloor.
Woolworths Group CEO Brad Banducci says: “The continued growth in online grocery gives us an opportunity to reimagine what the future of our stores will look like. The micro fulfilment technology in this eStore is a potential game changer.”
“It will help us deliver unparalleled speed and accuracy in the online picking process while keeping us close to our customers for faster and more flexible deliveries to the home.”
“This speed and proximity is key to boosting the availability of the same day deliveries more and more of our customers want given their busy lives. Importantly, the eStore layout also helps reduce congestion in the aisles for our in-store customers, as our personal shoppers pick most items in the back of house.”
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