Jabil robots help keep grocery shelves stocked

Don’t be surprised if customers at 500 grocery stores in the northeastern United States do a double-take when they see the latest technology tool to keep the stores efficient and safe.

Marty, a robot developed by Jabil unit Badger Technologies, helps keep retail stores safe and efficient.

The Giant/Martin’s and Stop & Shop stores are rolling out Marty, a robot with big “eyes” and a friendly appearance that was developed by Badger Technologies, a division of Jabil Inc.

The rollout follows successful pilots at a handful of stores where the in-store robots were tested and used to identify hazards, such as liquid, powder and bulk food item spills, and to provide reporting so corrective action could be taken. They help stores mitigate risk caused by such spills, as well as let associates spend more time serving and interfacing with customers, a news release from Retail Business Services said.

RBS is part of Ahold Delhaize USA, which operates about 1,960 stores under the Giant/Martin’s, Stop & Shop and other brands in the northeast and along the east coast.

Retailers have a pressing need for digital technologies that support new and sustainable business models, Jabil found in a survey of 300 retail decision makers.

Jabil (NYSE: JBL), a manufacturing services company and the largest company headquartered in St. Petersburg, is showcasing that technology at the National Retail Federation’s Big Show, currently underway in New York, highlighting products such as autonomous robots, electronic shelf labels, intelligent vending machines, point-of-sale systems and self-checkout kiosks.

Tim Rowland, CEO of Jabil’s Badger Technologies, was part of a panel at the NRF Big Show on Monday, talking about in-store robots for both logistics and “front of the house” operations.

Through its partners, Jabil has gained access to 90 percent of the top retailers across about 10,000 storefronts, Frederic McCoy, senior vice president, Jabil Retail, said in a news release. Working with those partners, “we’re empowering retailers to improve operations and transform customer experiences.”