Wakefern to utilize artificial intelligence in employee training

The parent of ShopRite and other grocery banners is applying artificial intelligence (AI) to its development of frontline learning content.

Wakefern Food, the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the U.S., is leveraging the Axonify digital training platform, including the new Content Assistant tool and Content Marketplace topics. Content Assistant, an AI-powered question-writing tool within the Axonify training platform, is designed to cut down the time it takes for a company to create multiple choice questions for employee learning initiatives.

[Read More: Wakefern, Simbe to test cutting-edge store technology]

The Content Assistant solution enables Wakefern to upload multiple source content file types, including .txt, .docx, and text-based .pdf files. The retailer then utilizes the solution’s AI capabilities to extract key learning points for review and generate reinforcement questions and answers for its employees.

The retailer is also using Axonify Content Marketplace, which has more than 600 complimentary video and text-based training topics that Axonify says drive an average of 20% improvement in knowledge in key areas of interest. Topics for training include post-pandemic and social awareness issues, including communication skills, empathy training, maintaining mental health, dealing with customers, diversity in the workplace, and remaining calm in difficult situations. 

Wakefern puts customers at center of merchandising
Wakefern is stepping up employee training as it is also attempting to create a more customer-centric shopping experience. The company is utilizing customer analytics technology from dunnhumby. Wakefern leverages dunnhumby customer data models and insights to help make merchandising decisions that will improve the shopping experience and drive engagement and growth across its store base.

[Read More: Wakefern to test frictionless stores]

Dunnhumby’s technology is built on top of the retailer’s existing merchandising and data analytic capabilities, with the goal of putting the customer at the center of all decisions. 

“It’s incredibly important to deliver the right content rapidly to our 80,000+ employees without disrupting their flow of work by tapping into new and existing content,” said Katie Shields, manager of retail learning & initiatives, Wakefern Food Corp. “There is a ton of great industry-specific content already available including in the Content Marketplace, and through Axonify and Content Assistant, we can quickly tweak it and launch new training topics out to our frontline associates in the moment of need.” 

"It’s a critical business imperative for frontline employers to have access to, create and deliver fun, engaging content that fits a business problem, in the flow of work and in the moment of need,” said Carol Leaman, CEO of Axonify. “As learning teams look to borrow, build and buy content, Content Assistant coupled with Content Marketplace gives them a results-driven, right-fit content approach.”

[Read More: ShopRite rolls out temperature-controlled pickup pods in New York]

Founded in 1946, Wakefern Food Corp. comprises nearly 50 member families who today independently own and operate close to 360 supermarkets under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage and Fairway Market banners in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

This story originally appeared on Chain Store Age.