Key Takeaways
This will be a year of further progress for micro-fulfillment centers (MFCs) as top technology providers continue partnerships with more grocers.
An industry expert predicts that some form of the technology will become widespread among food retailers.
Key challenges facing grocers that adopt micro-fulfillment solutions include space.
In just a few short years, micro fulfillment has moved from being a promising experiment into a full-fledged part of omnichannel strategy for major grocery retailers such as Walmart, Ahold Delhaize USA, Kroger and Albertsons. As retailers have found themselves competing with Amazon’s enviable two-hour delivery offer, and after going through last year’s transition to survival mode during the outbreak of COVID-19, their search for the fastest, most efficient way to fulfill online orders has become a top supply chain priority — and, in some cases, a competitive advantage.
Look for 2021 to be a year of further progress for microfulfillment centers (MFCs) as leading technology providers continue their partnerships with a growing number of grocers, including regional players with a smaller selection of stores.
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