For example, high-demand products are usually placed up front for efficient access, while low-demand goods sit further back. Some dark stores operate as micro-fulfilment centres – others as regional hubs – and many support click-and-collect or rapid home delivery.
The benefits to a retailer’ s inventory management are immediate. With no foot traffic, stock levels are dictated only by online demand, resulting in more accurate forecasting.
Technology plays a central role, requiring robust real-time inventory systems, automated stock replenishment and advanced tracking.
A recent Deloitte report explains:“ Dark stores with robotic pick and pack, appguided and virtual and augmented reality( VR / AR) shopping, Gen AI personalised content, onsite vertical farms, lab-grown meat, autonomous trucks, advanced tracking and traceability, last-mile delivery and frictionless checkout are just a few of the initiatives competing to revolutionise grocery and the shopping experience.”
supplychaindigital. com 89