Asda kicks off trial of Focal Systems AI powered store shelf scanning cameras in five locations

Asda has deployed AI powered cameras from Focal Systems that scan shelves on an hourly basis to detect in-stocks, out-of-stocks, lows, and if products are in the wrong spot.

A trial is currently underway at five of the UK grocery giant’s stores.

The cameras are placed on poles on top shelves in stores and can monitor around eight feet of shelf space opposite.

Shout out to Steve Dresser, CEO at Grocery Insight, for bringing this to our attention.

In a LinkedIn post, he said: “I remain unconvinced on this technology. Battery life requires the swap out of physical batteries, the resolution on the images is low and it's far too easy to game this system also. (IE facing over). It relies on stores informing Focal the plan has been changed (why?) and fundamentally it will always end up with central teams monitoring the stores.”

He added: “Sure they may not at the start, but there's the optionality....I remain concerned by the ability to zero stock files based on imagery alone and alert after alert each hour just makes teams responsive, not reactive.”

Photo credit: Steve Dresser.

“No fun in firefighting. It simply cannot take the place of good store process, such as gap scanning with confidence and empowering stores with control in their own routines and processes. They were on the agenda in my time Marks and Spencer but I wanted them in the busiest shops to inform macro space decisions to aid the store teams.”

In response, Kevin Johnson, CEO at Focal Systems, a 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards winner, said: “It is correct that our cameras are battery powered, thus avoiding the need to hardwire cameras (especially problematic for stores that like to move shelves/fixtures).”

“The rest of your impressions about the system and how retailers use it are a bit dated, however. We'd be happy to give you an update and show you how stores use Focal to eliminate wasted work, increase product availability (and sales), as well as reduce inventory and food waste. We don't replace good process, but we do make it easier to achieve.”

Simon Shankster

Simon Shankster recently started a new role as Vice President of Business Development and Partnerships at Orderly, a UK-based platform for forecasting, stock and store execution.

He joined from Focal Systems where he served as Vice President Sales & Customer Success EMA.

"I'm incredibly grateful for my time at Focal Systems and the superb experiences, relationships and partnerships created, and for the fantastic opportunities that I was able to bring to life with retailers all over the world. A special thank you to the brilliant EMEA team at Focal,” he said.

"I'm really looking forward to this new chapter at Orderly, an amazing company with incredible people and a set of values to match, and proud to be a certified B-corporation. Since 2008, Orderly have been helping global food and retail businesses reduce waste, improve efficiency, and build more sustainable operations. By optimising everything from forecasting and ordering to inventory and task management, and I'm ready to start contributing to Orderly's continued success."

RTIH AI in Retail Awards

RTIH, organiser of the industry leading RTIH Innovation Awards, proudly brings you the first edition of the RTIH AI in Retail Awards, which is now open for entries. 

Deadline for submissions is Friday, 5th December. It’s free to enter and you can do so across multiple categories.

As we witness a digital transformation revolution across all channels, AI tools are reshaping the omnichannel game, from personalising customer experiences to optimising inventory, uncovering insights into consumer behaviour, and enhancing the human element of retailers' businesses.

With 2025 set to be the year when AI and especially gen AI shake off the ‘heavily hyped’ tag and become embedded in retail business processes, our newly launched awards celebrate global technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world and the resulting benefits for retailers, shoppers and employees.

Our winners will be those companies who not only recognise the potential of AI, but also make it usable in everyday work - resulting in more efficiency and innovation in all areas.

Winners will be announced at an evening event at The Barbican in Central London on Thursday, 29th January.