AI For Inventory Helping Kimberton Whole Foods Grow Sales

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Fresh food in grocery stores can go to waste if not sold quickly, but shelf inventory technology is helping a local retailer reduce food waste and save money with automated ordering.

Kimberton Whole Foods, an independent, family-owned community market in the Philadelphia area today announced a partnership with Shelf Engine to reduce in-store food waste.

Using Shelf Engine’s predictive technology and automated ordering, Kimberton Whole Foods reported it has increased sales by an average of 42 percent and up to 70 percent at its best-performing store.

All Kimberton Whole Foods locations will be partnering with Shelf Engine, and the company said it plans to expand into more products and categories in the future.

Kimberton Whole Foods said about one-third of fresh food is thrown away at most grocery stores.

"During COVID, that number grew, adding to the 43 billion pounds of food wasted by grocery stores every year," Kimberton Foods told Patch.

It's why Kimberton Whole Foods decided to partner with Shelf Engine to incorporate the predictive technology into all of its Pennsylvania locations. So far, the grocer reported it has been able to reduce how much food it's wasting every month while increasing sales.

"Beyond contributing to many of the issues facing the planet today, food waste can also drain a company's profits. Kimberton Whole Foods has always actively worked to reduce its environmental footprint, but now with Shelf Engine, the company has identified a way to positively impact the planet and also its bottom line," the company said in a news release.

"Not only has Shelf Engine had an incredible impact on our sales, but these benefits have extended far beyond our shelves," said Robin Brett, Director of Purchasing for Kimberton Whole Foods.

"With less time spent on forecasting and inventory planning, we're able to spend more time focused on what matters most: our customers. By working with Shelf Engine, and letting them take care of the inventory management and ordering, we can put more focus on providing our customers with the best shopping experience possible," Brett added.

Shelf Engine calls itself "intelligent forecasting" that forms probability models based on machine learning. The technology's accurate predictions can reduce incidents of out-of-stock items.

At a time when the industry is facing mounting pressure from shifting shopper demand and growing competitive alternatives, building customer loyalty and reducing food waste has never been more important to the success of retail grocery, the company said in a news release.

"Kimberton Whole Foods championed its sustainable philosophy before these ideas were mainstream, and has remained a pioneer for innovative, forward-thinking business models," said Stefan Kalb, co-founder and CEO of Shelf Engine.

"Tapping Shelf Engine's technology has enabled the company to increase sales and profits while strengthening its commitment to giving back — a win-win," said Kalb.

Launched in 2015, Seattle-based Shelf Engine has more than 100 employees and manages orders for leading grocers at thousands of locations nationwide.

Kimberton Whole Foods founders Terry and Pat Brett began as a farm store for organic yogurt made onsite at a biodynamic dairy farm now known as Seven Stars Farm. The business they founded in 1986 grew into a group of natural grocery stores with a focused commitment to local farming and to organic and fair food.

Kimberton Whole Foods now has locations in Collegeville, Douglassville, Downingtown, Kimberton, Malvern, and Ottsville.

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