Distribution center forecasting tool to debut with Albertsons Cos.

Afresh Technologies says Albertsons Cos. Inc. will be the first customer to test and implement its first solution for distribution centers, Afresh DC Forecasts.

The artificial intelligence-powered DC Forecasts offers a fresh-specific technology solution for distribution center buyers that automatically compiles the data that can be used to forecast upcoming orders from the stores they serve, according to a news release. Albertsons Cos. is set to roll out DC Forecasts across produce, meat, seafood, deli and foodservice for 17 distribution centers.

DC Forecasts is San Francisco-based Afresh’s first expansion beyond grocery stores as the company aims to improve forecasting, ordering and inventory management for the fresh food supply chain, according to the release.

Afresh said DC Forecasts help grocers maximize product freshness by driving accuracy and efficiency in the forecasting process. DC Forecasts consider a range of demand drivers that are critical in fresh, such as promotions, store displays, seasonal trends, holidays and more.

The company said while distribution center buyers spend hours per week synthesizing multiple data sources and manually calculating forecasts, DC Forecasts automates the process and provides buyers with daily forecasts for each item they manage, updated every day. These new DC Forecasts can be reviewed by buyers in a cloud-based web app alongside helpful context like promotions and store displays, and the forecast data can be directly integrated into existing business systems, the release said.

“With our new DC Forecasts, we’re streamlining fresh insights across the supply chain,” said Afresh CEO Matt Schwartz. “In developing this, we worked directly with our partners at Albertsons Cos. to develop a centralized data feed that meets pressing needs at the DC: saving buyers time while increasing service levels to stores.”

Afresh said the time buyers save using DC Forecasts means will allow more time to focus on other critical and strategic tasks such as addressing inventory issues and planning long-term buys. In addition, now that grocers can pair Afresh’s distribution center and grocery store solutions, they can drive greater efficiency from supplier to end consumer, reduce more waste throughout the supply chain and ensure quality and longer shelf life for customers, the release said.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with Afresh to further improve planning in our essential fresh departments,” said Amanda Martinez, group vice president of national replenishment and planning for Albertsons Cos. “Following several months of testing, this new DC solution has already increased visibility and accuracy for daily forecasts across our fresh products.”

Albertsons Cos. has partnered with Afresh since 2022 to offer a more efficient in-store fresh product ordering process, leading to improved inventory conditions across the company’s stores, including Safeway, Albertsons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Vons and Acme, according to the release. In 2023, Afresh expanded its services beyond produce to include other key fresh departments at Albertsons Cos. stores such as meat, seafood, deli and prepared foods.

Afresh says it remains focused on developing AI-powered solutions for grocery store ordering and inventory management. Since 2017, when Afresh’s data scientists launched the first AI engine for fresh grocery, they have continued to deeply study many aspects of the industry, the release said.