Hispanic grocer Sedano’s Supermarket and e-grocery solution Takeoff Technologies will launch an automated hyperlocal fulfillment center the companies call “the world’s first robotic supermarket.”

This retail technology is expected to launch in the upcoming month, bringing innovative automation and transforming eGrocery economics. Customer orders will be placed via an online app and carried out by Takeoff’s automated Micro-Fulfillment Center, with the support of Sedano’s employees. AI-enabled robots assemble full supermarket orders of up to 60 items in just a few minutes – a fraction of the speed and cost of current manual picking options.

The hyperlocal micro-fulfillment center will serve 14 Sedano’s Supermarkets locations throughout Miami and offer consumers pickup services.

“We are excited to partner with Takeoff at the forefront of this groundbreaking robotics solution,” said Javier Herran, CMO for Sedano’s. “This model gives us the ability to leap into the eGrocery industry, develop a new level of employment opportunities and continue meeting the needs of our valued consumers by offering an affordable and convenient online service.”

Takeoff’s objective is to develop hyperlocal fulfillment centers that have one-eighth the footprint of a typical supermarket thanks to innovative robotics and compact vertical spaces. The company is currently working with five regional and national retail chains in the US and have several sites in development to deploy in 2019.

Takeoff’s Micro Fulfillment Centers are set to be built throughout the U.S., in urban and suburban locations, resulting in convenient and hyperlocal solutions for grocery shoppers nationwide. Retailers can leverage underutilized real estate by turning existing stores into micro distribution centers with Takeoff’s technology.

As Takeoff continues to grow, James McCann (former CEO of Ahold USA) is joining as a member of Takeoff Advisory Board and as an investor. McCann is a prominent and experienced retail executive globally. His experience as the former CEO of multiple global grocery retailers and more recent involvement with startups focused on retail technology will be invaluable as Takeoff further transforms the eGrocery space. Additionally, the company has closed its Series B financing led by Forrestal Capital, taking the total capital raised to $46M.

Source: risnews.com