BP has signed up supply chain specialist Relex Solutions in a bid to boost availability across its 300 UK company-owned forecourt stores and Wild Bean Cafes.
Using AI technology, the software will help BP optimise its supply chain efficiency and reduce food waste by accurately forecasting demand, automating inventory management, and streamlining procurement.
The oil industry giant said product availability was becoming increasingly crucial for the business, with over half of its customers now visiting BP forecourts for a food-only mission. The investment in the new digital solution would ensure BP has the “right products, in the right place, at the right time”, it added.
“Supply chain optimisation is critical for BP’s convenience growth ambitions,” said Jo Hayward, VP for convenience in Europe at BP. “Our strategy is to offer customers on the move with quality food and coffee at our network of convenient roadside locations.
“With the Relex platform, we’re aiming to strike the balance between maximising availability and minimising food waste – optimising each stage of the supply chain from the warehouse to the store, so that our customers can always rely on us for what they want, when and where they want it.”
Relex Solutions CEO & co-founder Mikko Kärkkäinen added: “We’re delighted to collaborate with BP to optimise their supply chain and support their goal of reducing waste – something we’re passionate about impacting with technology.
“Our AI-based forecasting and replenishment solution provides in-depth analytics and forecasting data to help identify and manage fluctuations in product demand. It uses a wide range of datapoints, including weather forecasts, price and other commercial parameters with sales history and variations in regional preferences, to provide a bespoke demand forecasts for every product in every store.
“This leads to the right product levels in every store increasing customer satisfaction, sales and reducing food waste.”
Following the UK rollout, Relex could be expanded to more of BP’s 3,300 company-owned retail sites across Europe.
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