Piggly Wiggly Midwest shoppers get AI and automation  

San Francisco-based Focal Systems, which creates retail automation, partnered with Piggly Wiggly Midwest stores to digitize entire stores to automate and optimize ordering, inventory management, merchandising and in-store labor — which could improve the freshness of produce.

Piggly Wiggly will pilot its Focal operating system, called FocalOS, in its Wisconsin and Illinois stores, according to a news release.

“I’m seeing the first signs of massive adoption of AI and computer vision in the grocery and retail industry, and it’s exciting to see one of the best grocery chains helping to lead the charge,” Focal Systems CEO Francois Chaubard said in the release.

C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc. operates Piggly Wiggly Midwest corporate stores and services independent franchisees under a chain-style model. This strategy offers the selection and assortment of a national chain, with the service and local customization of a community-based retailer. Each store contains specialized local assortments to meet local shoppers’ needs.

Piggly Wiggly launched its first store about 100 years ago.

“Our partnership with Focal Systems will enable us to provide an even better shopper experience by leveraging the most innovative retail automation technology available,” Mark McGowan, senior vice president of retail at C&S Wholesale Grocers, said.

Focal Systems received $25 million Series B funding, led by Point72, and rolled out its technology at Cooportunity Market, the only organic food cooperative in Los Angeles, according to the release. To date, Focal has raised more than $40 million in venture capital funding and has scaled its solutions to retailers spanning three continents.

Focal’s mission is to automate and optimize brick and mortar retail with state-of-the-art deep learning and AI. The company launched a “self-driving store.”