Tally mobile robots autonomously traverse the store while scanning store shelves. | Credit: Simbe Robotics
HomeBase USA has introduced Simbe Robotics’ Store Intelligence platform, which includes the Tally autonomous shelf-scanning robot, to its locations in Copperas Cove, Texas, and Laramie, Wyo. The Laramie store introduction marks the first Tally deployment in Wyoming.
Stores such as HomeBase have expansive footprints and tens of thousands of SKUs across lumber, building supply, hardware, farm, ranch, and lawn and garden categories. Keeping shelves stocked with the right items, in the right place, at the right price—across fixtures like hooks, bins, top stock, and bulk—is complex and ripe for automation.
Simbe was a 2024 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award honoree for integrating the Tally robot into all 237 U.S. sites of BJ’s Wholesale Club. HomeBase USA currently has fewer than a dozen stores.
In addition, in October 2024, Simbe raised a $50 million series C round as the South San Francisco-based company ramped up production, sales, and support for its growing installed base.
HomeBase looks to free associates for other tasks
Store teams often spend up to 30 hours per week on manual inventory tasks, which are time-consuming and error-prone. Such repetitive work is also associates’ least favorite responsibility, cited as the largest reason for attrition.
Tally automates these responsibilities, scanning shelves multiple times a day to identify out-of-stock items, pricing errors, and misplaced inventory. The data is instantly available to store teams through a mobile app and dashboard, which prioritizes the most important items to address.
Simbe claimed that its system captures real-time, shelf-level data, empowering store teams to act faster and with greater accuracy. The result: fewer out-of-stocks, more efficient labor, and a smoother, more satisfying experience for customers.
“Getting inventory right is fundamental to our business, and with Tally, we’re equipping our teams with the insights they need to succeed,” said Mark Dremel, district manager at HomeBase. “This pilot is an exciting step toward improving both operational performance and the in-store experience, and we’re eager to see Tally’s impact as we look to scale.”
With Tally’s help, teams can proactively address issues before they affect sales and spend more time serving shoppers. According to a Simbe survey, 90% of store managers said Tally makes their jobs easier, and 99% of shoppers are as or more likely to shop again after seeing robots in-store.
Simbe’s Tally proves performance at scale
Unlike other systems, Tally is designed to blend into the retail environment, said Simbe Robotics. The robot is designed to navigate safely around shoppers and pause when aisles are busy. The company said its platform has delivered the following to stores:
- Up to 98% on-shelf availability
- 90% pricing accuracy
- 50+ labor hours per store, per week, reallocated to higher-impact tasks
- Up to 2% margin growth and 15X ROI
Simbe noted that its systems have been deployed in nine countries and trusted by leading retailers across grocery, club, alcohol, home improvement, and farm supply.
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