Save A Lot has partnered with automation provider Fabric to introduce a robot that reduces the time to assemble a 50-item grocery order to just 6-8 minutes. This development is part of a new micro-fulfillment center in Brooklyn, which marks Save A Lot’s first venture into on-demand, automated grocery delivery. The collaboration combines Fabric’s robotic technology with Save A Lot’s grocery offerings to bring delivery services to New York City, with Uber couriers handling the last-mile logistics.
The core of this system is Fabric’s cube-based robotic storage, which optimizes grocery fulfillment by drastically cutting down on the time and labor traditionally involved in assembling orders. The high-density, high-throughput system can manage grocery inventory across three temperature zones—fresh, frozen, and perishable—enabling it to process complex orders at a speed unmatched by conventional methods. While most large grocery orders typically take up to two hours to fulfill, Fabric’s automation enables Save A Lot to prepare the same size order in just a few minutes.
This improvement in speed is designed to meet growing consumer expectations for faster delivery in the grocery sector. As more customers turn to online grocery services, largely driven by rising costs and inflationary pressures, speed and convenience are becoming crucial factors in customer satisfaction. The collaboration between Save A Lot and Fabric is intended to address these demands, offering customers fresh and affordable groceries, quickly delivered to their doorstep.
Save A Lot’s move into automated micro-fulfillment is seen as a strategic step to streamline operations and optimize supply chain efficiency. By leveraging Fabric’s automation, the company can handle higher volumes of orders with fewer delays and lower costs, providing a competitive advantage in a market where timely grocery delivery is becoming increasingly essential.
In partnership with Uber, deliveries from the Brooklyn warehouse will reach customers across the borough, with Uber couriers handling the last-mile logistics. This partnership extends Save A Lot’s ongoing relationship with Uber, further boosting its ability to offer reliable delivery services at competitive prices. Customers can place their orders via the Uber Eats app, where the quick assembly times enabled by the robotic system ensure that deliveries can be fulfilled within 30 minutes.
The efficiency gains achieved through automation extend beyond customer convenience. Fabric’s fulfillment centers report higher retention rates for employees, due in part to improved working conditions and wages compared to traditional grocery operations. This stability in the workforce helps to ensure consistent and reliable service, further enhancing the customer experience.
Bill Mayo, chief operating officer at Save A Lot, noted the significance of this partnership in maintaining the company’s commitment to providing affordable groceries. “Our partnership with Fabric and expansion into micro-fulfillment will streamline operations and allow us to offer accessibility to consumers wherever they are at competitive prices. We’re excited to bring this affordable, convenient shopping experience to the New York market.”
The Brooklyn warehouse is the first of its kind for Save A Lot and Fabric, and the companies see it as a pilot for future expansion. With the grocery industry increasingly shifting toward automation and fast delivery, this partnership positions Save A Lot to meet growing demand for low-cost, efficient grocery services in densely populated urban markets. By integrating robotic systems that can drastically reduce fulfillment times, the company aims to improve both operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
As more consumers turn to online grocery shopping, driven by a combination of convenience and economic pressures, Save A Lot’s embrace of automation through its partnership with Fabric signals a larger shift in the grocery industry. The ability to assemble orders in just 6-8 minutes, combined with rapid delivery through Uber, reflects the future of grocery retail, where speed, affordability, and efficiency will play key roles in shaping consumer expectations and experiences.
