Russian meat and poultry producer Cherkizovo Group is now automating its merchandising processes with artificial intelligence. This has helped the company bolster the presence of its products in retail.
In 2022, Cherkizovo successfully tested a mobile app for merchandisers based on computer vision (image recognition) technology powered by neural networks, according to a press release from the company. It was launched to automate Cherkiuzovo’s in-store product display analysis and improve the performance of sales teams.
With the app, a merchandiser uses it on a smartphone to take a snapshot of a store shelf and then a neural network processes the image in real time directly on the device. Based on this data, Cherkizovo's management can promptly analyze the level of product representation in a particular store, as well as in specific districts, cities or regions, and quickly respond if some products are missing.
The app helped Cherkizovo to significantly improve the quality and accuracy of the data provided by merchandisers and ultimately reduce costs and increase sales. "We receive online information not only on (un)availability of our products on the shelf but also on compliance with display standards and meeting sales targets. By reducing out-of-stock periods, we enhance customer experience and increase our turnover," saiid Alexander Nikonovich, Cherkizovo head of business app implementation.
The app is already used by Cherkizovo's merchandisers in most of the regions where the company operates.
Cherkizovo, according to the WATTPoultry International Top Poultry Companies Survey, is Russia's largest poultry producer and the 31st largest in the world. During the past year, the company slaughtered 322.4 million broilers.
