Fresh Market Aims to Improve Inventory Management with New Tech, Including Electronic Shelf Labels

The Fresh Market will deploy solutions from VusionGroup across all 166 grocery stores in its fleet next year, adding electronic shelf labels (ESLs), improved inventory management technology and analytics designed to better support in-store merchandising decisions, timing of out-of-stocks and prioritizing waste reduction.

The retailer’s partnership with VusionGroup will include a suite of Vusion 360 solutions, including:

• Multicolor ESLs that can support remote price changes and are equipped with flashing LEDs to guide associates doing online order fulfillment or replenishing shelves;
• Captana Computer Vision and AI inventory management technology in center store and fresh departments that is designed to increase the on-shelf availability of products using real-time detection of out-of-stocks; and
• Memory Store Analytics to measure ROI on strategic KPIs.

Additionally, using Cisco Meraki infrastructure already in place, The Fresh Market will automatically connect to existing access points of VusionGroup’s IoT, eliminating the need for additional hardware and reducing carbon footprint and operational costs.

“With this integration, we’re transforming our stores into fast and efficient spaces,” said Brian Johnson, COO of The Fresh Market in a statement. “This partnership not only shows our dedication to elevating the shopping experience for our guests but also reflects our commitment to supporting our incredible team members.”

In July 2024, supermarket retailer Hy-Vee partnered with VusionGroup to install ESLs in more than 230 stores, following close on the heels of Walmart’s June 2024 decision to roll out the solution provider’s digital shelf labels chainwide.

“We are thrilled to partner with The Fresh Market,” said Philippe Bottine, CEO Americas and Group Deputy CEO at VusionGroup in a statement. “This collaboration is a testament to our shared dedication to innovation and excellence within the retail landscape. Additionally, we are also very proud to roll out our full suite of value-added solutions across an entire retail chain for the first time, marking a pivotal milestone in the digital transformation of physical commerce.”