Waitrose Meet Store Demands with Intelligent Automation in Inventory Management

Premium grocer Waitrose & Partners works with a large number of suppliers, both in the UK and internationally, so managing the supply chain is a complex part of the business. Instead of being the middleman between suppliers and the stores, Waitrose looked to create an efficient system to directly connect the two.

Read the full story to find out how intelligent automation has delivered significant time and cost savings benefits to Waitrose by helping individual stores to place orders directly with suppliers and manage their inventory.

Overview

As a premier grocer in the UK, Waitrose & Partners prides itself on bringing the best products to its loyal shoppers. Retail is one of the most dynamic and competitive markets across the globe, and this employee-owned retailer knows that discerning shoppers can choose any store they want. Waitrose wants to be that choice every time. So how does Waitrose succeed? By automating intelligently. The result: measurable efficiency gains and real savings.

Challenge

When customers walk into a Waitrose supermarket, they expect to find everything on their shopping list. And the store wants customers to leave with everything they came in to get (and more!). Waitrose works with a large number of suppliers, both in the UK and internationally, so managing the supply chain is a complex part of the business. Instead of being the middleman between suppliers and the stores, Waitrose looked to create an efficient system to directly connect the two. Removing Waitrose distribution centers from the equation saves time and money for the stores and ensures consumers’ favorite grocery items are always in their local Waitrose.

Solution

Blue Prism digital workers are poised to assist in streamlining the Waitrose supply chain. Today, if a local store realizes it is running low on a popular cereal or pasta sauce, the store places an order with Waitrose by the case, pallet or layer. Once the order comes in a digital worker reviews the order, aggregates the products from each supplier and determines whether it meets a minimum order requirement to get a direct shipment. If the answer is “yes,” the digital worker approves the order and it is sent directly to the local Waitrose, and customers are able to make their favorite Bolognese recipe at dinner time. Intelligent automation has delivered significant time and cost savings benefits to Waitrose. In fact, when the branches order directly from the suppliers, the cost for Waitrose to fulfill products is cut in half, and cost savings are passed along to shoppers.