Giant Begins Deploying ‘Googly-Eyed’ Robots In Food Stores

By Josh Popichak | Saucon Source

As part of an effort to better serve its customers, Giant Food Stores announced Monday that it has begun deploying robots to all of its locations.

“Following successful pilots that improved in-store efficiencies and freed employees up to better serve customers, Giant Food Stores on Monday announced the introduction of a new robotic assistant to all of its 172 stores,” said spokeswoman Laura Jacobs in an email.

“‘Marty,’ a tall gray robot with googly eyes, will soon be working alongside associates thanks to a partnership between Ahold Delhaize USA services company Retail Business Services, GIANT and Jabil subsidiary Badger Technologies,” a news release stated.

Giant said that over the past year it has been piloting robot Marty and its in-store robotic program in its stores in Harrisburg, and Carlisle, Cumberland County. 

“Bringing robotics and A.I. from a research lab to the sales floor has been a very exciting journey, and we were thrilled by the customer response in our pilot stores,” said Nicholas Bertram, president, GIANT Food Stores. “Our associates have worked hard to bring this innovation to life with amazing partners.”

The in-store robots move around the store unassisted and are being used to identify hazards, such as liquid, powder and bulk food item spills, and to provide reporting that enables quick corrective action, according to the news release.

“The robots’ efforts free up associates to spend more time serving customers,” it said. “They also help stores mitigate risk caused by such spills.”

A 2018 thread on Reddit’s Mildly Interesting about the robot includes observations from customers who have encountered it, thoughts about the implications of the use of robots in retail stores, and other commentary.

Expect to see Marty in a Giant near you over the coming months, as he is deployed to stores company-wide in “waves,” with expected full deployment slated to be complete by mid-2019, the company said.

Giant operates a store in Falls Township and two in Middletown.