Woolworths introduces big change to fresh produce aisle - and it will change how you shop

Supermarket giant Woolworths has announced a major change to its fruit and vegetables section that promises to bring customers an enhanced shopping experience.

The retailer has teamed up with Sydney-based company Tiliter to introduce Artificially Intelligent Scales in its stores across Australia.

The new, more accessible scales, which are currently being tested in a handful of stores nationwide, will eventually replace all analogue scales in Woolworths stores across the country sometime within the next year, Woolworths Media Relations Specialist Nathan Farebrother told Yahoo News.

About two to six scales will be installed in each store and will be located at the end of the produce aisles, Farebrother said, adding that as these new scales will be closer to the ground and digital, it will be easier for customers with special needs to access them.

He further stated that as this is more modern tech, it gives the company the flexibility to add more features along the line.

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Quick, convenient, accurate

Woolworths, in a news release, says the new AI scales will help customers manage their budget while shopping in-store by giving them a quick, convenient and accurate reading of the weight of fruit and vegetables.

“We’re excited to continue our partnership with Tiliter through the implementation of new, digital scales,” said Sailesh Shankar, Woolworths’ Head of Business Solutions - Customer, Retail and Emerging Concepts. “These scales will help provide a better in-store shopping experience for our customers through both accessibility and convenience.”

Future of retail

The trial comes on the back of Woolworths’ previous work with Tiliter, the company that helped roll out the supermarket’s Scan and Go program last year.

“The rollout of Tiliter AI Scales across Woolworths nationwide is making the future of retail a reality,” Tiliter CEO Marcel Herz said. “With this partnership, a growing number of Australian shoppers now have the opportunity to use innovative AI technology in an everyday setting, as naturally and seamlessly as they would their smartphones.”

“With this type of technology capable of expanding across e-commerce, this is only the beginning,” he added.

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