Locai Solutions, Denver, Colo., partnered with PULSE Integration, Pittston, Pa., to develop the Omni-Store, the omni-channel store of the future.

Locai’s digital commerce platform enables customers to shop their grocer’s aisles using in-store kiosks, mobile phones or desktops and have their groceries picked and packed via the AutoStore system, produced by AutoStore, Norway, within minutes. This gives shoppers the ability to place their order in the store, while experiencing the grocer’s prepared foodservice or shop for other items they prefer to handle on their own. The AutoStore system will also serve as the fulfillment hub for online shoppers in the area, giving the grocer a more ideal fulfillment solution while improving inventory control and reducing congestion in the store aisles.

Cuhaci & Peterson, Orlando, Fla., concepted what the Locai and Autostore platforms could look like in a series of virtual walkthroughs. The concept and design could then be adapted to seamlessly integrate into a grocer’s brand to give shoppers an enhanced shopping experience.

“With the way e-commerce has become infused in everyday life, grocers need solutions that leverage their stores in a meaningful way. Through thoughtful incorporation of micro-fulfillment logistics, grocers can offer customers more control of how when they shop. This end-to-end solution provides grocers the flexibility to meet their customers’ needs within the existing store network, yet still be mindful of budgetary concerns,” says Steven Duffy, senior vice president at Cuhaci & Peterson.

“I can’t emphasize enough the flexibility and performance of the AutoStore system,” says Chris Paulsen, chief executive officer of PULSE Integrations. “Being an integrator for shuttle-based systems and other robotic material handling systems, none of them come close to AutoStore’s capabilities in terms of flexibility, scalability and storage density. We’re thrilled to partner with both Locai and Cuhaci & Peterson to bring these capabilities to the grocery industry.”

Locai’s digital commerce platform integrated with the AutoStore system also provides customers and grocers a real-time view of inventory. This helps to alleviate instances of missed expectations when a customer places an order online for an item fulfilled by AutoStore. Additionally, Locai’s PowerPick application gives grocers the tools to control their inventory, as well as offer operators an interface for all aspects of their fulfillment operations.