Focal Systems, the industry leader in retail automation, today announced a partnership with Piggly Wiggly Midwest stores. Piggly Wiggly Midwest will be piloting the Focal Operating System (FocalOS) in its Wisconsin and Illinois stores. FocalOS digitizes the entire store in order to automate and optimize ordering, inventory management, merchandising and in-store labor with the objective to deliver a better experience to customers.

Building on its more than 100-year history in the grocery business, Piggly Wiggly continues to grow its presence with stores throughout the Midwest, South and Northeast. C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc. operates Piggly Wiggly Midwest corporate stores and services independent franchisees under a chain-style model. This unique grocery store offers the selection and assortment of a national chain, with the service and local customization of a community-based retailer. Each store contains specialized local assortments to meet local shoppers’ needs.  

“We’re thrilled to work with such a beloved and historic grocer that has been a staple in American lives for more than a century,” said Francois Chaubard, CEO and founder of Focal Systems. “I’m seeing the first signs of massive adoption of AI and computer vision in the grocery and retail industry and it’s exciting to see one of the best grocery chains helping to lead the charge. In partnering with Focal Systems, Piggly Wiggly Midwest is demonstrating how it continues to be a pioneer in the industry. We look forward to expanding our partnership in years to come.”  

“Piggly Wiggly has been changing the industry since it launched its first store. Our partnership with Focal Systems will enable us to provide an even better shopper experience by leveraging the most innovative retail automation technology available,” said Mark McGowan, Senior Vice President, Retail, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc.  

Focal Systems made recent headlines for its $25 million Series B, led by Point72, and for its rollout at the Cooportunity Market, the only organic food cooperative in Los Angeles. To date, Focal has raised more than $40M in venture capital funding and has scaled their solutions to retailers spanning three continents. Major retailers using Focal Systems have shown a 50x in ROI with the implementation of the technology, making this the most profitable investment in all of retail technology.