General Research
Common Pain Points in Grocer Retailers
Symphony RetailAI
Food supply chain have started to utilize AI to help with the pain points listed here. Combining Blockchain and AI could be a huge opportunity. RetailAI is the largest AI company working with Grocer Retailers.
Source: Symphony RetailAI
Problems Symphony RetailAI is Solving
- 47% of grocery retailers list "Lack of internal collaboration" as one of top 5 issues
- 43% of grocery retailers list "Slow pace of innovation" as one of top 5 issues
- 40% of grocery retailers list "Supply chain planning lacks insight into consumer data" as one top 5 issues
Blockchain/IoT can make AI prediction more accurate, as better datasets implies better forecasts.
Source: Symphony RetailAI
Food Recalls in Leafy Produces Are Not Uncommon
In the recent 2018 outbreak, E. coli O157:H7 infected 210 people.
Source: CDC
Common Pain Points for Grocer Retailers & Grocer Producers
Foodborne Illnesses Cost more than $15.6B Annually
- 8.9 Million Americans sickened every year by one of 15 common pathogens
- 53,245 Americans sent to hospitals annually because of foodborne illness
- 2,377 will lose their life
Source: USDA/WHO via FSN
Common Demands in Grocer Retailers
43% of grocery retailers list "real-time visibility of supply chain inventory" as a top 5 want
Source: Symphony RetailAI
60% of grocery retailers list "increase inventory visibility" as a top 5 want
Source: Symphony RetailAI
Grocer Retailer's Measures of Success
Inventory in-stock Rate
51% of Grocer retailers list "Inventory in-stock rate" as a top metric for retail supply chain management success.
Source: Symphony RetailAI
On-time Shipping Rate
47% of Grocer retailers list "On-time shipping rate" as a top metric for retail supply chain management success.
Source: Symphony RetailAI
Existing Accountability Teams
LGSTF Traceability Group Leader
Name: Dr. Jennifer McEntire
V.P. of Food Safety & Technology
United Fresh Produce Association
This group works closely with the FDA and CDC during outbreaks related to leafy green produce.
Source: LGFSTF
SafeLeafyGreens Organization
This group advocates and hosts safety information for leafy green produce. Their target audience includes both retailers and homes.
Source: SafeLeafyGreens.org
Trader Joe's
Leafy Green Grocer
Tied Most Popular Private Grocer Brand choice of Boomer Generation
Source: Progressive Grocer
Kroger's
Leafy Green Grocer
Currently Partnered with IBM Food Trust
Source: Forbes
Tied Most Popular Private Grocer Brand choice of Boomer Generation
Source: Progressive Grocer
Meijer
Leafy Green Grocer
Most Popular Private Grocer Brand choice of Millennial Generation
Source: Progressive Grocer
Aldi
Leafy Green Grocer
Most Popular Private Grocer Brand choice of X Generation
Source: Progressive Grocer
Andy Boy
Point of Contact for Food Safety
Name: Ken Stearns
Director, Food Safety
Phone: 831.455.4500
Email: food.safety@darrigo.com
Source: Company Site
IBM Food Supply Chain
Food Blockchain Competitor
IBM has partnered with the following businesses to implement Blockchain into the food industry:
- Dole
- Driscoll's
- Golden State Foods,
- Kroger
- Nestle
- Tyson Foods
- Unilever
- Walmart
Source: Company Website, Forbes
IBM Food Trust System Relies on Hyperledger Fabric
Hyperledger Fabric is an Open Source blockchain network.
Source: Forbes
IBM Specific Industries
IBM is currently using the blockchain to target the following Industries:
Source: IBM Blog
US Department of Agriculture GAP/GHP Program
Fertilizer
To be GAP/GHP certified, farms must apply fertilizers at appropriate moments and in adequate doses to avoid run off and to achieve Nitrogen balance. Additionally, soil must maintain organic content - by manure application or by use of grazing/crop rotation. Soil related IoT technology can be utilized to automatically track this data, to notify both auditors and farmers.
Source: USDA
Companies Involved
Many companies use the GAP/GHP to certify their food is safe. IoT and blockchain could help cheapen the audit process for both the regulators and producers.