The technology requires store employees to scan shelves with a handheld tablet equipped with software that automatically counts stock and flags items running low. Starbucks says the system will allow quicker replenishment and ensure consistent availability of popular in-store products such as cold foam, oat milk, and caramel drizzle.
Deb Hall Lefevre, the company’s Chief Technology Officer, said the upgrade will improve both efficiency and customer experience. “Customers can enjoy beverages their way, every time — and partners spend less time in the backroom and more time crafting and connecting,” she explained in a statement.
The AI solution is powered by NomadGo, a Seattle-based company that has provided similar services to other food chains, including Taco Bell and KFC franchisees. Its platform combines 3D spatial intelligence, computer vision, and augmented reality to automate the otherwise manual process of counting stock. NomadGo CEO David Greschler described traditional inventory work as “manual, tedious, and inaccurate,” highlighting the efficiency gains from automation.
Starbucks noted that stores already using the technology have been able to conduct inventory counts up to eight times more frequently, reducing errors and ensuring supplies are restocked on time.
The initiative is part of a broader digital transformation under Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol, who has overseen the rollout of other AI-powered tools in recent months, including “Green Dot Assist,” a virtual assistant for employees, and “Smart Queue,” a system designed to optimize the sequencing of customer orders.
By embedding AI into supply chain and store operations, Starbucks aims to enhance both employee productivity and customer satisfaction, while setting a new benchmark for technology adoption in the retail coffee sector.