SOFIAH NICHOLE SALIVIO
News Editor
A network of Asian supermarkets in Melbourne has overhauled its retail and supply chain systems with AIBUILD, with the integration now handling more than 2,000 orders a day.
The project linked point-of-sale, inventory, warehouse management, transport and customer data into a single platform, replacing a patchwork of separate systems that had left store and warehouse operations out of sync.
Before the overhaul, stock levels did not always match between stores and the warehouse, invoices were reconciled manually, and deliveries were organised by phone and spreadsheet. Customer data was collected but not used effectively, while managers had limited visibility into performance until weekly reports were compiled.
Although sales were strong, internal processes became harder to manage as the business expanded. With the systems now connected in real time, managers can see what is selling, what needs replenishing, and how stock is moving from warehouse to shelf as transactions occur.
According to AIBUILD, the system supports about AUD $100,000 in daily transactions. It also automates invoice reconciliation and uses AI to assign drivers and plan delivery routes.
Operational shift
The project focused on core retail operations rather than customer-facing automation. Integrated order tracking was introduced to improve fulfilment oversight, while transport management was brought into the same environment as store and warehouse data.
This is significant for independent grocers, many of which still rely on disconnected software or manual workarounds as they grow. In this case, the supermarket network chose to rebuild its underlying systems rather than add another layer of software on top of existing problems.
AIBUILD Co-founder and Director Yifei Wang outlined the rationale for the work.
“Most independent retailers don’t have a demand problem, but a systems problem. Retail is full of hardworking operators, but when systems don’t connect, you lose time, margin and visibility,” Wang said.
He said the project was designed to improve day-to-day decision-making rather than introduce a more futuristic form of automation.
“What we built here isn’t futuristic robotics, but a connected operational backbone that helps these businesses make better decisions every day. These supermarkets can now actually see their business from the top down, all whilst optimising and streamlining overall operations, and that’s the real difference,” Wang said.
Customer data
The rollout also included a membership and shopping app linked directly to sales and inventory data. The app has passed 20,000 downloads and sign-ups, giving the supermarket group a way to connect customer activity with transactions and stock information.
In one two-month period, more than 7,000 customers joined the programme. This has allowed the stores to track purchasing behaviour, tailor offers and measure repeat visits, replacing what had previously been an incomplete picture of customer loyalty.
The membership app also shows how operational integration and customer retention can become closely linked in grocery retail. When sales, stock and customer records are connected, retailers can better understand not only which products are moving, but also how often shoppers return and which promotions influence behaviour.
Independent pressure
The case reflects a wider challenge for smaller retailers facing many of the same logistical demands as larger chains without the same technology budgets or internal IT resources. Grocery businesses processing thousands of daily orders across stores and warehouses need accurate stock data, reliable delivery planning and timely reporting, yet many still depend on spreadsheets, phone calls and manual reconciliation.
For this Melbourne supermarket network, the new setup replaced those processes with live operational data across the business. The result is a clearer view of inventory, invoicing, fulfilment and transport in a sector where timing and margins are closely linked.