Retailers are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence in the produce aisle to improve shopper experience, optimize operations and boost sales. Grace Schroeder, CEO of Slingr, shares how AI is already reshaping the fresh produce landscape — and where it's headed next.
“We're seeing a patchwork of point-of-sale, inventory and spreadsheet systems in grocery that don't always talk to each other,” she says. AI has the potential to stitch those together, she adds, pulling actionable insights from all the disconnected data to improve everything from inventory management to marketing outreach.
Slingr is an AI-powered automation platform designed to help companies streamline operations, reduce waste and boost profits by connecting their systems, data and workflows into one intelligent, customizable solution. Rather than selling a single software package, Schroeder says, Slingr works with grocers to assess their existing systems and build custom automation solutions. These solutions often start with identifying areas where employees spend time on repetitive, manual tasks — like tracking produce sales, checking equipment performance or pricing inventory — and developing intelligent tools to streamline those processes.
For example, if a cooler frequently fails and causes produce loss, AI can recognize patterns in sensor data and trigger predictive maintenance before spoilage happens, Schroeder says. It can also monitor how much produce is sold at full price versus discount or clearance, helping grocers refine pricing and reduce waste.
But AI's value goes beyond the back end. Schroeder says smart automation can also enhance customer service text or email responses to inquiries or even chatbots that understand typical questions and generate human-like answers.
“There's a lot of fantastic AI-powered marketing tools out there,” she says, adding that automation helps retailers stay connected with shoppers in a more timely and personalized way.
Still, adoption won't be without its challenges. Grocers who embrace AI will gain a cost and margin advantage, Schroeder says, while those who delay may struggle to compete.
“You used to be able to get by with spreadsheets — even million-line ones — but that's no longer sustainable,” she says. “The industry needs to move toward systems that can communicate and interpret data in real time.”
What's promising is that this digital shift doesn't have to be overwhelming.
“You don't have to automate everything all at once,” Schroeder says. “Start with the areas where you're losing money or spending too much time. From there, you can build.”
Ultimately, Schroeder says she sees a future where AI enhances, instead of replaces, the human expertise that makes grocery operations successful.
“It's evolutionary,” she says. “Now, the automation we can bring is a lot more elegant, it's easier and it's a lot more human.”
