In October 2020, Amazon launched Dash Smart Shelf, an auto-replenishment scale for the workplace and home. The scale connects using the in built Wi-Fi and can order supplies when the stock is running low. This feature is useful and helps keep the pantry stocked, which makes sense since Amazon wants to sell more. However, a small tweak could make it far more valuable for food establishments.
Food service businesses always struggle with the issue of managing FIFO (first in first out) with the store inventory and what would really help is to solve that problem. While issuing the raw material from the store, the store managers intuitively pick up something from the front and give it out. This would work if the person stacking the products is diligent about putting the newer inventory behind the old one. But this is often ignored. Expired products end up hidden inside. If detected, they cause food waste. If undetected, they pose a serious hazard.
What we would have really liked is to have a RFID reader on the shelf as well.In addition to tracking inventory, it can detect a product’s age. When a product is picked up, it checks if it’s newer than the others. If it is, a red LED lights up, showing another product should be chosen. This helps the store manager make the right choice quickly and saves time.
Restaurants loose about 30,000 Kgs of food every year due to expiry. Added to this are fines and lost business when customers withhold orders after finding expired products during inspections.
A solution to help them solve this problem would really add money back into the pocket of the food business operators.