Image by Christopher White from Pixabay

Shoppers are warming up to supermarket robot helpers, according to a recent report by Simbe Robotics, who have been riding this wave of positive sentiment. Their Tally robots, which monitor shelves and help stores avoid out-of-stock items, are now a familiar feature in more retailers globally, with customers expressing increased satisfaction with the enhanced shopping experience.

The San Francisco-based company’s expansion into markets such as Turkey and the U.S. has been a significant catalyst of the positive shift. It was revealed that over 75% of shoppers feel more positive about stores equipped with robots. Of 400 U.S. shoppers, 96% reported a neutral or positive view of in-store robots, with only 4% expressing any concerns.

Reflecting on the growing role of robotics in retail, Simbe CEO and co-founder Brad Bogolea once commented in an interview, “I had this ‘aha’ moment where [I realized that] this world of retail is unique. It provides food every day for everyone on the planet—but yet this is an environment that we haven’t really instrumented, and folks don’t always know what’s happening on the store shelf.”​

Bogolea’s vision for Simbe’s Tally robots was to create a solution that not only improved operational efficiency but also addressed these everyday consumer frustrations. While most of the focus on retail automation tends to highlight operational benefits—such as real-time inventory tracking and reduced out-of-stock rates—Simbe’s research is shifting the narrative toward the customer’s perspective.

Stores utilizing Tally have seen a marked improvement in shopper loyalty, with 61% of respondents indicating they are more likely to return to retailers that use robots. One of the main reasons for this shift is that robots like Tally eliminate common frustrations, such as incorrect pricing and missing products, by constantly scanning shelves and reporting issues in real time.

The data-driven nature of Tally’s operations is where the real advantage lies. Retailers using the robots can also collect actionable insights on stocking patterns, shelf organization, and sales performance in near real-time and by automating these processes, retailers can focus more on customer interaction and strategic decisions.

According to Deborah Weinswig, CEO of Coresight Research, more leaders are investing in proven AI- and data-based solutions that drive efficiencies and enhance transparency throughout the store.

Toby Pickard, a senior partner at the Institute of Grocery Distribution, also acknowledged the customer-centric benefits of Simbe’s technology. He highlighted that the presence of Tally robots brings “joy and excitement to shoppers, especially those with children,” beyond the operational benefits,

Simbe’s partnership with CarrefourSA in Turkey followed new and expanded deployments in major U.S. chains, including Wakefern, Northeast Grocery, Tops Friendly Markets, SpartanNash, and BJ’s Wholesale Club. Retailers have reported measurable improvements in both operational efficiency and shopper satisfaction as a result of using the technology, strengthening their competitive edge in an increasingly tech-driven market.

Tally is helping reshape how shoppers perceive the shopping experience—particularly among younger consumers, where there is a growing acceptance and even enthusiasm for in-store automation.