SPAR Austria trials inventory robot for shelf management
Pilot launched at EUROSPAR and INTERSPAR stores aims to boost efficiency and customer service.
SPAR Austria has become the first food retailer in the country to trial an inventory robot, introducing an autonomous device named Tally to improve shelf monitoring and ease employee workload. Since July 1, Tally has been navigating the aisles of a EUROSPAR supermarket in Vienna and an INTERSPAR hypermarket in Eisenstadt, scanning shelves to detect stock gaps and ensure product availability.
Standing two meters tall, the robot operates independently, surveying the store up to three times a day, excluding peak shopping hours. It compiles real-time data on shelf stock and sends inventory reports directly to store staff via email.
The goal is to reduce the time employees spend checking shelves manually, allowing them to focus more on customer service and store operations.
“We are constantly reviewing future-oriented technological solutions that will further reduce the workload of our employees,” said SPAR Austria CEO Hans K. Reisch. “Automated inventory control and integrated reporting ensure better product availability while freeing up time for our team to provide more personal service to customers—a win-win situation.”
Over the initial five-month pilot, the robot will gradually integrate into the store environment. During the first four weeks, it is learning its route, with technical adjustments underway. From mid-August, the system will begin delivering regular inventory reports based on image-based shelf scanning.
Furthermore, Tally is programmed to respect customer privacy: it deletes any images with people and avoids interaction by navigating around shoppers, staff, and obstacles. SPAR Austria views the trial as a step toward smarter automation in food retailing.
