Grocery
Trusted solutions for grocery warehouse and fulfillment center automation
Amid change in the grocery industry, certain fundamentals remain: intense competition, razor-thin margins, and persistent labor shortages.
As you manage your operations, automation offers a clear path forward. No matter your role — supply chain professional, distribution center manager, vice president of operations — automation can help you improve efficiency, increase throughput, and stabilize operations despite workforce constraints.
Are rapid changes in grocery order fulfillment hurting your business?
Off-price movement
Continual broadening of off-price movement such as the growth of dollar stores.
Individualization/Personalization
Growing consumer demand for products that meet their specific needs creates SKU complexity, which leads to packaging in smaller units of measure.
Smart packaging
Increasing requirements for track and trace and promotional purposes creating demand for smart packaging
Sustainable packaging
Growing use of recycled and eco-friendly packaging that create different requirements for product handling during order fulfillment
Service requirements
Large format grocery and chain stores continuing to put a higher service requirement on distributors, which increases the cost per case sold
Benefits of automation for your type of grocery operation
All grocery operations share certain challenges, but some are unique to each segment. Automation provides solutions:
Warehouses and distribution centers
Warehouses and distribution centers play a key role in grocery supply. Many operations face challenges across receiving, storage, picking, and shipping. Automated solutions help improve daily workflows and support smoother material flow. This helps strengthen supply chain operations and support stores and online orders.
Retail stores
Retail grocery stores must balance store operations with growing fulfillment needs. Many stores manage in-store shopping alongside order picking and replenishment. Automated solutions help support back-of-store activities, improve product flow, and assist with fulfilling online and in-store demand.
E-commerce
E-commerce grocery operations focus on fast and accurate order fulfillment. Managing high order volumes and delivery expectations can be complex. Automated solutions help support efficient picking, packing, and order processing to meet online customer needs.
Explore a few Dematic technologies for grocery fulfillment
Grocery operations require fast, accurate handling across storage, picking, and shipping. Core workflow technologies such as Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS), often powered by AutoStore, combined with conveyors, sortation, palletizing, and goods‑to‑person workstations help keep inventory moving and orders on schedule.
These modular solutions allow grocery operations to start with the capacity they need today and expand as demand changes. Each technology works together to support high‑volume throughput, efficient use of space, and consistent performance without disruption.
AS/RS solutions bring accuracy and consistency to grocery storage and fulfillment. Automated handling reduces manual touches while maintaining clear system‑directed inventory control. High‑density designs improve space utilization, while precise movement supports reliable product availability. Grocery operations gain improved throughput, safer workflows, and confidence that inventory is always where it should be.
AutoStore supports grocery fulfillment by combining dense storage with fast access to inventory. Autonomous robots retrieve bins from a compact grid and deliver them directly to workstations for accurate order processing. The modular system expands easily as demand grows, without stopping operations. Grocery environments benefit from reliable throughput, efficient use of space, and a scalable fulfillment foundation.
Conveyor systems support grocery distribution by keeping products moving efficiently through receiving, picking, and shipping. Automated transport reduces manual handling and supports high‑volume processing. Modular designs adapt as layouts or volumes change. Grocery operations benefit from smoother workflows, dependable throughput, and consistent order movement from inbound to outbound.
Sortation systems help grocery operations route orders quickly and accurately to the correct destination. Integrated controls manage scanning and diverting in real time to support high‑volume processing. Modular designs adapt as demand changes. Grocery operations benefit from consistent order flow, improved accuracy, and dependable performance during peak periods.
Workstation systems support grocery decanting, picking, and packing with efficient goods‑to‑person workflows. Items are delivered directly to workstations, reducing travel and improving accuracy. Real‑time software coordination keeps tasks aligned as volumes fluctuate. Grocery operations benefit from faster processing, improved ergonomics, and reliable performance during demand peaks.
How Dematic works in the real world
It is critical to select the right supplier - one that will be a trusted partner throughout the entire process.
As a company that’s led innovation in Supply Chain for more than 200 years, Dematic provides the widest range of solutions and the expertise to build the solution you need for complete control and visibility over your operation.
Our solutions are tailored to your business challenges. Using standardised sub-systems and industry-leading insight and expertise, Dematic provides world-class integrated hardware, software, and support to help you empower people, optimise space, drive growth and improve efficiency.
With Dematic, you can grow your business to compete locally, retain customer loyalty, and deliver with speed and accuracy on a global scale.