Tesco follows grocery rival Morrisons as it tests out Simbe’s Tally in-store stock scanning robot
Tesco is trialling Simbe’s Tally in-store shelf scanning robot. This is taking place at a single store, with plans to extend the pilot to a small number of other locations.
Thanks to Toby Pickard, Retail Futures Senior Partner at IGD, and a member of the judging panel for the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards, who first brought this to RTIH’s attention.
“What's particularly interesting is that this isn't an isolated innovation. Over the last few weeks, Tesco has also: Introduced autonomous cleaning robots across convenience and supermarket stores; Announced a partnership with Hanshow to deploy electronic shelf edge labels in around 3,000 large format and convenience stores; It is also trialling an AI assistant across its workforce to help customers with meal planning and building shopping baskets,” he says.
He adds: “Taken together, these announcements paint a much bigger picture. It feels like Tesco is building towards the hyper-connected store, where robotics, AI, computer vision, digital shelf infrastructure and connected operations work together to create smarter store execution, empower store colleagues, and ultimately deliver a better shopping experience.”
“Retail technology conversations often focus on individual innovations. The real transformation happens when these technologies begin to work as an integrated ecosystem. Tesco's recent moves suggest that's exactly the direction it's heading. The question now is: Which UK retailer will be next to accelerate its journey towards the hyper-connected store?”
Morrisons
Last year, in a UK first, Morrisons also tested out Tally.
Seamus McHugh, Head of European Market Development at Simbe, commented at the time: “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.”
SPAR Austria
Following a five month trial, SPAR Austria is expanding its use of Tally to six EUROSPAR and INTERSPAR stores.
A trial at a EUROSPAR supermarket in Sagedergasse and INTERSPAR hypermarket in Eisenstadt demonstrated the contribution that digital technologies can make to day-to-day supermarket operations, according to those involved. SPAR is the first food retailer in Austria to use an inventory robot in regular store operations.
The robot moves through the store several times a day, scanning shelves, identifying inventory levels and gaps, and automatically transmitting this information to mobile devices used by employees without disrupting daily operations. Missing products can be identified early and restocked quickly.
In a press release, SPAR stated: “The results show that automated shelf scans can significantly reduce time-consuming inspection rounds and the search for missing inventory. This noticeably reduces employee workload, allowing them to devote more time to advising and assisting customers. Acceptance in stores has also been high. The inventory robot is seen as friendly, moves quietly and safely through the aisles thanks to its sensors, and automatically avoids people. Image data of people captured incidentally is deleted immediately and not processed further.”
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
Automation 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.
