Augmodo and Mercatus Introduce New Tech to Increase Profitability of Grocery eCommerce
SmartBadgeTM Technology Provides Grocery Retailers with Real-Time Inventory Tracker to Boost Margins, Efficiency, and Customer Satisfaction
SEATTLE, WA (December 18, 2024) — Today, Augmodo and Mercatus announced a collaboration that integrates Augmodo’s SmartBadge wearable cameras with Mercatus’s digital commerce platform, providing grocery retailers with an innovative solution for capturing real-time shelf data.
Augmodo, the only provider of real-time inventory and task tracking powered by wearable SmartBadges, and Mercatus, a leading provider of digital engagement and commerce solutions for regional grocers, are combining technologies to address key operational challenges in grocery eCommerce.
Inventory distortion, including out-of-stocks, cost retailers $1.8 trillion globally in 20231, with shoppers often turning to competitors when desired items are unavailable2. For grocery retailers, where thin margins make every sale vital, the rapid growth of online grocery sales—projected to reach $120 billion annually by 2028 and outpacing in-store growth by three times3—makes real-time inventory management more urgent than ever.
“With Augmodo’s SmartBadge technology, we’re equipping grocers with a powerful tool to address out-of-stocks, streamline fulfillment, and optimize labor—all while enhancing the customer experience,” said Lan Nguyen, CEO at Mercatus. “This collaboration sets a new standard for efficiency in grocery retail, delivering measurable value for retailers and a reliable experience for their customers.”
The Augmodo SmartBadge is a wearable camera that passively captures real-time shelf data as associates move through the store. This data provides actionable recommendations to improve operations, including:
- Optimized store routing to minimize time spent locating products.
- Secondary item placements to improve availability.
- Substitution suggestions to boost first-time pick rates and reduce fulfillment time.
“With inventory challenges costing grocers billions each year, Augmodo’s SmartBadge technology represents a groundbreaking solution for operational efficiency,” said Ross Finman, Founder and CEO of Augmodo. “The rich data captured effectively equips new associates with the equivalent of two years of experience, enhancing productivity with an AI assistant that reduces monotonous and repetitive tasks.”
The Augmodo SmartBadge system is easy to deploy, with a 20-minute installation time, quick charging, and a cost that is 100 times lower than other options—while capturing ten times more shelf data.
Key benefits for grocers include:
- Reduced labor costs through optimized workflows
. - Increased eCommerce order accuracy, minimizing substitutions and improving customer satisfaction
. - Real-time visibility for executives and brand partners via a robust analytics platform for proactive inventory management.
Together, Mercatus and Augmodo are helping grocery retailers embrace innovation, improve operational efficiency, and increase profitability.
About Augmodo
Augmodo is the only real-time inventory and task tracker that uses wearable SmartBadge on retail associates, creating live 3D store maps with cutting-edge tech to enhance retail experiences and cut costs for retailers, brands and consumers. The spatial AI assistant builds better, more accurate shelf inventory and creates planograms updated dozens of times daily. The Augmodo system is easy to scale, 100X cheaper than alternatives and requires no operational changes. For more information, visit augmodo.com.
About Mercatus
Mercatus drives digital transformation for retailers through an extensive suite of connected commerce and personalization solutions. We enhance shopper engagement, tailor experiences to individual preferences, and cultivate enduring loyalty across retail businesses of every size. Our mission is to enable retailers to captivate customers, boost sales, foster retention, and deepen loyalty in a digital world. With our cutting-edge solutions, retailers can streamline operations, enrich customer experiences, and realize substantial growth.