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Foodland looks to automate core retail functions

Hawaiian chain taps Symphony RetailAI for marketing, merchandising, supply-chain solutions

Russell Redman

April 1, 2022

2 Min Read
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Foodland operates 27 supermarkets, including one location under the Kahala Mkt. by Foodland banner, plus five Sack N Save grocery stores.Foodland

Hawaiian grocer Foodland Super Market has enlisted artificial intelligence-driven solutions from Symphony RetailAI for a range of marketing, merchandising and supply-chain functions.

Dallas-based Symphony said this week that, under a a multiyear license agreement, Foodland aims to automate and enhance core end-to-end retail practices and is adopting a broad portfolio of AI-based solutions for supply chain, category planning and revenue growth.

Overall, the Honolulu-based retailer operates 27 supermarkets, including one location under the Kahala Mkt. by Foodland banner, plus five Sack N Save grocery stores. Three Foodland and one Sack N Save stores also have fuel stations.

“As Hawaii’s only locally owned grocery retailer with stores statewide, we are committed to continually innovating and improving to ensure we provide outstanding experiences for our customers while also delivering strong financial results,” Foodland Chairman and CEO Jenai Sullivan Wall said in a statement. “We undertook a thoughtful, multiyear assessment of vendors to select the best partner to guide us through this transformational change. Symphony RetailAI emerged as the clear leader.

“The company’s deep understanding of the grocery business, focus on strong long-term partnerships and leading AI-based solutions will position our company to thrive not only in the near-term but into the future as well,” Wall added.

Related:The Fresh Market enlists Inmar platform to power new rewards program

Initially, Foodland plans to implement Symphony’s Master Data Management, Kitchen Management, Promotions Evaluation and Planning, and Direct Store Delivery solutions. Plans call for Integrated Category Planning, including Store Insights, Planogram Automation, Intelligent Clustering and Shelf Planning solutions to be installed in later phases, according to Symphony, which said the technology will be deployed across Foodland stores and some of its sister companies.

“Retail excellence in today’s fast-changing market demands a strong foundation of end-to-end AI-based and data-driven solutions,” commented Chris Koziol, CEO of Symphony RetailAI, a global provider of role-specific, AI-powered revenue growth management solutions and customer-centric insights for retailers and CPG manufacturers. “We’re excited to team with Foodland to deliver innovative enterprise capabilities that will increase efficiencies and deliver measurable business and financial impact. The strong teamwork between our companies creates a compelling foundation for significant mutual success, and we look forward to a long and productive collaboration.”

Related:Giant Eagle enlists IoT system to help keep food fresh and safe

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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