Concern among employees and customers of this popular supermarket chain over the introduction of these new “awkward” employees

Customers shopping at Kroger in greater Cincinnati will have noticed a new, unusual member of staff gliding up and down the aisles in recent months. The supermarket chain is testing an autonomous shelf auditing robot named “Barney” in 35 of its Cincinnati stores.

Barney is a seven-foot tall, obelisk-like android equipped with sensors, cameras and electric blue led lights which flash furiously as he scans the shelves for missing items.

Why is a robot working at Kroger’s?

Kroger hope that their new robotic employee will improve the store’s real-time inventory management and also enhance the customer experience. Barney’s daily chores involve scanning shelves to monitor stock levels, check that the quantity of items on display is correct and identify products that might be missing or not placed where they should be.

This innovative program isn’t limited to Cincinnati; Kroger is also testing the technology in its Central Division, based in Indianapolis, which covers most of Indiana and parts of Illinois. With more than 2,700 stores across 35 states, Kroger operates under several banners, including Fred Meyer, Ralphs, Harris Teeter, Pick ‘n Save, and King Soopers, among others, as reported by USA Today. Kroger’s widespread reach makes this technology rollout all the more impactful.

But not everyone is convinced - among the doubters are those who have to work alongside Barney, his fellow workmates. The big worry for Kroger employees is that this new advanced technology could eventually make them redundant.

The company insists that the robots will not replace employees, who will now be freed up to focus on less menial tasks such as customer service and fresh product management. The chain explain that employees will be responsible for interpreting the data provided by the robots and making informed decisions.

Shoppers' reaction to Kroger’s new robotic employee

Barney, the robot, has also stirred mixed reactions among the supermarket’s customers. While some view this innovation as a boost to service efficiency, others are concerned about whether automation might impact in-store employee presence in an age when self-service has become the norm. Others warn that Barney’s presence frightens some younger and older shoppers.

So far, the prominent supermarket chain hasn’t revealed further details about the program’s future or whether staff reductions might be in the cards. However, one thing is certain—this new technology underscores how automation is reshaping the retail industry and our shopping experience

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