AI and automation: future of retail on full display at 2025 Goldman Sachs ShopTech Conference
Simbe, the company behind Tally, an autonomous robot that aims to simplify inventory tracking and ensure store shelves are always stocked, has taken to social media to discuss the 2025 Goldman Sachs ShopTech Conference, which took place in New York last week.
In a LinkedIn post, it said: “The future of retail was on full display at Goldman Sachs ShopTech. Co-created with our partners at GS Growth Equity, this inaugural event brought together 80+ of retail’s most influential executives, investors, consultants, and thought leaders for two days of conversation, connection, and bold ideas.”
“We kicked off with an intimate rooftop happy hour - an evening of incredible energy and company - before reconvening the next day to hear from those shaping the industry’s future via physical AI, automation and more.”
It added: “A huge thank you to: Coresight Research’s Deborah Weinswig, BJ’s Wholesale Club’s Krystyna Kostka, BJ’s Wholesale Club’s Scott Schmadeke and Symbotic’s Bill Boyd for their sharp discussion on transforming the retail operating model with automation. Scott and Krystyna continue to be phenomenal Simbe partners, and we were proud to see their vision on stage.”
Deck the…robot?! 🤖🎄 Loving the holiday cheer @BJsWholesale is spreading at its Club Support Center.
— Simbe Robotics (@simberobotics) December 21, 2023
Tally is supporting team members in clubs to ensure a magical shopping experience for members during this busy season! 🎁✨ #storeintelligence #retailtech #holidayshopping pic.twitter.com/lyqt0rSJZI
Simbe also thanked Aidan Madigan-Curtis “for representing Eclipse with clarity and conviction - offering a rare investor-operator lens on placing bets on retail’s transformation”. And the hosts and investor partners at Goldman Sachs, “especially Ben Fife, whose leadership made this event not only happen, but matter.”
It concluded: “We were also honoured by the presence of industry powerhouses like Hersch Klaff (Albertsons), Vinod Bidarkoppa (Walmart International), and George Lee (Goldman Sachs). Tally even made an appearance! Retail’s next era is being written by the leaders who were at ShopTech.”
Morrisons
In a UK first, Morrisons is testing out Simbe’s Tally robot.
Thanks to Toby Pickard, Retail Futures Senior Partner at IGD, and a member of the judging panels for the RTIH AI in Retail Awards and 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, for bringing this to our attention.
In a LinkedIn post, he said: “Today, I saw a Tally robot from Simbe in a Morrisons. This is the first time Tally has been deployed in the UK. It has only been in store for a few weeks, and there are two other stores trialling the technology.”
“The tech should help with price accuracy and stock availability, along with other benefits. It is great to see technology being tested in UK retail that can help store associates and improve the shopping experience.”
Seamus McHugh, Head of European Market Development at Simbe, commented: “Delighted to have Tally live in the UK and to be working with the innovative team at Morrisons on this project. This is a significant milestone for Simbe as we add another country and a new retailer to our growing list of deployments.”
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