Mars Wrigley trials in-store Savioke robotic kiosk

Mars Wrigley and Wakefern Food Corp. are partnering with Savioke to test out a robotic kiosk that delivers products to shoppers at a ShopRite store in Monroe, New York.

The pilot is part of Mars Wrigley's Launchpad programme, which was established in 2017 and has delivered 60 pilots with over 300 startups.

"As a treats and snacks category leader, we know that while trips to stores are becoming more focused and retailers are moving to more seamless in-store shopping experiences, shoppers still want to be surprised or indulge in impulse purchases," says Matt Tice, Director of Grocery Category Leadership at Mars Wrigley.

Smiley plays music and dances as it navigates the store.

It will display a variety of Mars Wrigley products typically found at the checkout. Its actions can be modified to optimise engagement, support store promotions and deploy new behaviours.

Smiley can also detect the number of people in its vicinity and display social distancing messages.

Robots, they’re everywhere!

After deploying its first Simbe Robotics’ Tally robot in 2019, Carrefour UAE is now adding 11 more across select stores to support with stock management and control.

Philippe Peguilhan, Country Manager of Carrefour UAE at Majid Al Futtaim Retail, says: “We are constantly working to better our processes, enhance our efficiency and digitise our operations in the region. This is exactly what Tally has achieved.”