Ahold Delhaize's Albert deploys Brain Corp AI powered robots to scan shelves during live store operations

Brain Corp has announced results from the expansion of its partnership with Albert to deploy AI powered shelf scanning robots. Albert, a retail brand in the Czech Republic and a subsidiary of Ahold Delhaize, operates 350 stores nationwide.

Historically, inventory management at Albert has been a highly structured, daily operation relying heavily on manual execution. After replenishment cycles, empty shelves are scanned by store associates and managers to correct discrepancies in the system.

The retailer identified challenges in maintaining inventory accuracy, often as a result of staff shortages, time constraints, and varying levels of experience that delays vital corrections, leaving products unavailable until the next delivery window. This visibility gap directly impacts sales, strains relationships with brand partners, and negatively affects the shopper experience.

Following a 2022 deployment of Tennant robotic floor scrubbers powered by BrainOS, Albert partnered with Brain Corp to evaluate whether AI powered shelf scanning could reliably operate under real store conditions to close this operational gap.

“After successfully deploying autonomous floor cleaning robots, we knew automation could deliver both operational consistency and valuable data,” says Pavel Klemera, Operations Support Consultant at Albert.

The BrainOS powered scanning technology delivered insights that highlighted operational gaps that needed to be addressed. Against a baseline target of 90% accuracy across all categories, the system far exceeded the baseline target, consistently performing in the high 90s in identifying products, price tags and exceptions, according to those involved.

Crucially, the system's accuracy improved throughout the pilot. With each scan, the technology's ability to recognise products, price tags, and empty space increased, demonstrating the power of AI continues to get better.  

“The data was clear, consistent, and accurate. This allowed us to identify human errors - for example, outdated prices on some paper tags, which we corrected immediately,” says Ivana Stastnikova, Store Operations Process Lead, CSE Region at Albert.

Automating inventory scanning represents the next step in Albert's corporate strategy, which centres on digitalisation, automation, and data driven decision-making. By leveraging AI driven data, Albert says it is strengthening execution, reducing reliance on manual corrections, and supporting teams with better visibility.

“Innovation at Albert is about measurable impact. We adopt technology when it delivers tangible operational benefits,” says Stastnikova. 

By producing data accuracy results in live store environments, Albert has laid the groundwork for scaling AI driven inventory insights across markets in Central and Southeastern Europe.

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

AI will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.