​A new AI image-recognition service is unveiled at iba, which tracks in-store patisserie and bakery shelf performances in real-time. AI specialist MarketLab, in partnership with Puratos, developed Spotimize to help with shelf management, lower waste and improve the customer’s experience. During its current startup phase, the Spotimize service will be available to a limited number of customers in selected countries.

Through advanced AI algorithms and in-store cameras, Spotimize delivers real-time, granular insights into shelf management. It utilizes in-store cameras tailored to recognize each customer’s product range. These cameras capture multiple snapshots of the shelf daily. The data is processed by AI algorithms, identifying items, gaps, and limited shelf-life products. This information is then accessible through a secure cloud-based dashboard, providing daily updates on the shelf’s performance. ​

The service offers three kinds of insights:

• Share of shelf insights, ensuring optimal shelf utilization, breaking down space product by product.
• On-shelf availability Insights, highlighting where to restock and which products trigger customer frustrations.
• Waste insights, pinpointing items with a one-day shelf life, revealing when and where they meet their unfortunate fate. 

Jan Willem Groen and Joris Schrauwen, project managers of Spotimize share their vision on Spotimize, stating: “Each store has its unique rhythm. Some wrestle with waste, others battle out-of-stock frustrations. You’ll find that your store teams use Spotimize to fine-tune their shelves daily, aligning perfectly with your planogram. Meanwhile, head offices finally have the missing data to decipher the secrets of the top-performing stores and spread the best practices among the lesser-performing stores. With Spotimize’s predictive modeling, we’re inching closer to a future where shelf mysteries are a thing of the past.”

In the fast-paced world of bakery, adapting to the future is key. “At MarketLab, we recognize the power of AI technology to revolutionize how businesses operate. Our advanced AI solutions have already been embraced by major retailers, transforming their strategies and enhancing customer experiences. Bringing this expertise to bakery and patisserie chains is not just a move; it’s a necessity. The intricacies of managing bakery shelves require a nuanced understanding, and AI offers the precision and efficiency needed to decode these complexities”. Says Piotr Wardaszko, CEO at MarketLab.

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