Vallarta Supermarkets Test Badger Technologies Data-Gathering, Autonomous Robots to Improve Operational Efficiencies and Shopping Experiences

Badger Technologies, a product division of Jabil and leader in retail automation, has deployed a pilot program with Vallarta Supermarkets, a chain of 53 full-service markets throughout California, to reinforce operational and customer-service excellence. Badger Technologies multipurpose autonomous robots support the retailer by identifying hazards at five Vallarta Supermarkets in Fresno, Kern, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Vallarta also is testing the robot’s inventory management capabilities at a sixth location aimed at improving on-shelf product availability.

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Vallarta Supermarkets is testing Badger Technologies multipurpose autonomous robot, named Pepe, to help keep floors clean and shelves fully stocked with correctly priced and placed products (Photo: Business Wire)

“Providing our customers with a clean, safe environment is critical to our customers’ experience,” said Steve Netherton, CIO and VP of Continuous Improvement at Vallarta Supermarkets. “When we look at where to invest in innovative technologies, improving store operations is always a high priority. The Badger Technologies robots are helping us set new standards in store safety and cleanliness while ensuring a superlative shopping experience.”

Founded in 1985, Sylmar, Calif.-based Vallarta Supermarkets is recognized as one of the largest Latino supermarket chains in the state. The company also is known for its highly trained staff eager to assist customers in selecting fresh produce, quality meats and bakery items, along with traditional and specialty food items from Mexico, as well as Central and South America.

Prioritizing Store Safety and Cleanliness

Vallarta’s initial proof-of-concept (POC) featured a robot equipped with Badger Retail InSpect to complement existing manual floor inspections with automatic hazard detection. After the POC exceeded expectations, Vallarta implemented a five-store pilot to support them in identifying hazards, such as spills of liquids, powders or bulk-item foods, while potentially mitigating risks of slip-and-fall accidents.

Hazard notifications are delivered by the robot to the store’s public-address system and mobile pulse alerts. Images are collected and stored for a period, for archival purposes. “The robot gives us another pair of eyes to be more proactive in pinpointing spills and debris,” said Suzanne Wong, Director of Operational Excellence at Vallarta Supermarkets. “The result is heightened awareness among our staff and customers that we place a big priority on store safety and cleanliness. Other benefits include improvements in customer service, labor efficiency and data for risk management.”