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Wakefern opens robotics-driven warehouse for online grocery

Partnership with Takeoff Technologies to support ShopRite from Home service

Russell Redman

July 23, 2019

2 Min Read
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Wakefern Food Corp. has partnered with Takeoff Technologies to open an automated warehouse to fulfill online grocery orders for ShopRite supermarkets.

Waltham, Mass.-based Takeoff said Tuesday that the new micro-fulfillment center (MFC), located in Clifton, N.J., will serve selected ShopRite stores in North Jersey and New York operated by Wakefern member Inserra Supermarkets.

A retailer-owned grocery cooperative, Keasbey, N.J.-based Wakefern offers members online grocery pickup and delivery through the ShopRite from Home service, now available at most ShopRite stores.

“We are excited to partner with Takeoff Technologies to see how their hyperlocal automation technology will benefit our cooperative, retail members and shoppers,” Steve Henig, vice president of digital commerce and analytics at Wakefern, said in a statement. “We are really proud of our e-grocery shopping platform, ShopRite from Home, and believe this partnership will enhance our online shopping service.”

Takeoff’s technology uses advanced robotics in the fulfillment center to boost efficiency and get online orders to customers more quickly. The online grocery automation startup said orders of up to 60 grocery items can be assembled in minutes. For ShopRite customers, the technology change will be seamless as they continue to place orders through ShopRite from Home.

Related:Albertsons eyes its own e-commerce infrastructure

“We’re thrilled to partner with Wakefern to help make their e-grocery service even better,” said Jose Aguerrevere, co-founder and CEO of Takeoff. “Our hyperlocal approach and technology results in lower packaging costs and high last-mile efficiency.”

Takeoff said it has an agreement with Wakefern to open more automated MFCs to serve its members. According to the tech company, the partnership gives Wakefern a scalable model to expand online grocery capabilities for its members.

Overall, Wakefern’s 50 members independently own and operate 353 supermarkets under the ShopRite, The Fresh Grocer, Price Rite Marketplace and Dearborn Market banners in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Virginia. Mahwah, N.J.-based Inserra owns and operates 23 ShopRites in New Jersey and New York and two Price Rites in New Jersey.

Acting as a hub, Takeoff’s hyperlocal fulfillment centers provide a lower cost-to-serve by covering the expense of order assembly and last-mile delivery/pickup. On the front end, retailers can use their existing e-commerce platform or Takeoff’s customized user interface for taking online grocery orders. Retailers, too, can use Takeoff’s solution to leverage underutilized real estate and turn existing stores into micro distribution centers. For the robotics technology, Takeoff has an exclusive agreement with Knapp, a global provider of automated warehouse solutions.

Related:Sedano’s teams with tech firm to launch ‘robotic supermarket’

“Our e-grocery automation is a turnkey, scalable solution that uses robotics to unlock convenience for shoppers without the need to charge extra fees,” added Max Pedro, co-founder and president of Takeoff. “It’s a win-win for grocers and shoppers.”

Other grocery retailers using Takeoff’s MFC solution include Ahold Delhaize USA (through its Stop & Shop and Peapod units), Albertsons Cos. and Sedano’s Supermarkets.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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