• by Tanya Gazdik , March 13, 2025

Kroger is testing robots with shining blue lights to keep a closer eye on inventory and prices.

“Social media is blowing up with posts about Kroger’s new inventory robots, Tally and Barney, which travels through the supermarket collecting inventory data, and the comments are giving the Cincinnati-based grocery chain a bit of free advertising,” according to Supermarket News.

The robots are through partnerships with Simbe and Badger Technologies.

“Simbe and Badger have had a high profile in the grocery industry,” per Supermarket News. “Badger's autonomous robot technology has been rolled out at stores like Stop & Shop under the name Marty, and Simbe's Tally is deployed chainwide at BJ’s Wholesale Club under the name Tally.”

The Tally robots have been used at other retailers including Wakefern, Hy-Vee, Schnucks, and Giant Food Stores.

“Fear not. These are not our new robot overlords, but a pilot program in 35 citywide locations testing the new technology to keep closer tabs on inventory in real-time,” according to USA Today. “Kroger officials are tight-lipped about the project, offering few details.”

Kroger confirmed that the pilot began last year and is active at 70 total stores, with the Tally deployment also extending to the Indianapolis area.

“The pilot means our associates can more easily and quickly identify and address shelves where products are low or out of stock,” a Kroger spokesperson told WLWT. “It also provides our teams more time to do what they do best – serve our customers.”

One of the robots is named Barney after Kroger founder Bernard “Barney” Kroger. Each has a small note of introduction affixed to them instead of a name tag.

“Meet your new Kroger team member! ‘Barney’ is here to improve your shopping experience by scanning shelves for missing items and to ensure correct pricing,” the note reads. 

Not all customers were enthusiastic about the presence of robots. 

“One shopper said the Barney team actually made the shopping experience more difficult,” according to the U.S. Sun. “She wrote: ‘He moves very slow and gets in the way of shoppers. I would recommend doing this in off hours.’ Another person was equally unimpressed. They said: 'And managers still have to check shelves and prices because it does a poor job. Just like the rest of Kroger and the things they invest in. Thinking about the impact the new workers might have, another shopper said: 'Great, more tech to put people out of a job.'"