As SpartanNash aims to stake out its position as a destination employer for top tech talent, the company recently hosted its first IT Training Palooza.
Held earlier this week, the three-day event included more than 50 sessions covering grocery technology topics like artificial intelligence, applying an agile delivery model, change management best practices and the ethical impacts of AI. Top tech companies such as Microsoft and Snowflake shared insights during the event.
More than 300 of the company’s workers participated and logged more than 5,000 hours of training, making it the largest IT training event in SpartanNash history, according to the announcement.
SpartanNash said the event is part of its grocery innovation efforts and continued technology investments.
“This event not only shows our investment in our Associates, but in driving the future of grocery to create a better customer experience,” SpartanNash Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Information Officer Masiar Tayebi said in the press release.
SpartanNash noted that it is already using AI to predict shopper demand and reduce waste as well as using autonomous inventory robots to provide real-time data intelligence about products on its shelves. Last year, the company expanded its deployment of Simbe’s Tally robots to more locations.
SpartanNash’s technology and labor investments come as the company works to rightsize its wobbly financial performance.
