Kmart has revealed plans to bring self-navigating robots to all its shops and has also inaugurated a vast new distribution centre in Hamilton.
The 40,000 sq metre centre, positioned at the Ruakura Superhub and developed by Tainui Group Holdings, will serve Kmart’s North Island outlets. This facility, equivalent in size to four rugby pitches, will start operations in September, replacing the older Wiri site in South Auckland. Together with a centre in Christchurch, they will cater to 26 Kmart stores in New Zealand.
John Gualtieri, Kmart’s chief executive, mentioned that this move is a pivotal step for Kmart’s expansion plans in the country.
Furthermore, Kmart announced the introduction of robots named “Tory” in its stores. These robots, powered by RFID technology, will count stock items like clothing, footwear, and accessories daily. This ensures up-to-date product availability and lets staff concentrate more on helping customers. Instead of annual stock checks, “Tory” can perform this task daily.
