Description
Smartway is an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered solution that helps supermarkets handle food waste more effectively through four features: Smartdetection, which helps stores identify which products are nearing their expiration date; Smartdecision, which decides whether the expiring item should be discounted or donated; Smartdiscount, which prints out a discount label where required; and Smartdonation, which navigates the administrative procedures related to the donation of expired or near-expired items.
Technology
Smartway leverages AI to help retailers, wholesalers and restaurants manage their perishable inventories more efficiently by predicting demand and bringing automation to the related processes. The key hardware components include Zebra mobile devices, which work hand-in-hand with Smartway’s software, and are used in stores to scan products nearing expiration, helping automate such tasks as the application of discount labels or the redirection of items for donation.
Target
The target users are retailers and consumers who can benefit from discounting food close to the expiry date.
Business model
Retailers can contact Smartway by phone or email and ask for a demo. If they choose to adopt the Smartway solution, Smartway representatives will come to the premises and carry out an audit of the operation to assess the current approach to food waste and areas in which savings in time and money can be made. In the following stage, Smartway devices and software are installed and training and technical assistance are provided and updated as necessary, and Smartway representatives regularly visit the store to review and optimize the applied processes with the teams.
Impact
Smartway claims to reduce food waste by 80 percent while growing each store’s net profits by as much as 51 percent. The company has reported savings totalling USD 177 million through discounting, and preventing 56 846 t of waste. According to Smartway’s website, over 400 stores across France are benefitting from the technology, and the company has stated its intention to ramp up its research and development (R&D) operations to improve the technology.
Four Betters
Better environment
