Starbucks and NomadGo's Bid to Boost Operational Efficiency

Starbucks has announced it will be deploying NomadGo's patented Inventory AI in more than 11,000 North American locations. 

This product delivers 8x faster inventory counting, with 99% accuracy, improving in-store efficiency and supply chain visibility. 

Through the overlaying of real-time data using augmented reality, Nomad Go offers instant validation, meaning the employee doesn't need to wait around for the data to process and can immediately order new stock or change purchasing orders.

A technological hand

NomadGo is the industry leader in Inventory AI, dedicated to reducing manual and inaccurate inventory counts.

Its Inventory AI is powered by Spatial Vision, NomadGo's new technology; a synthesis of on-device 3D spatial intelligence, computer vision and augmented technology. 

It can sense, understand and extract real-time data from physical spaces, allowing for revolutionary inventory management. 

Simply by using a phone or a tablet, businesses will be able to achieve fast and accurate inventory counts automatically.

This technology will be used by global coffeehouse Starbucks to increase operational efficiency across North America. 

The company welcomes millions of customers around the world each week into its stores, meaning the brand must run as smoothly as possible in order to keep its customers happy and caffeinated. 

“The deployment of NomadGo’s Inventory AI across Starbucks owned and operated coffeehouses in North America is a strong validation of our patented technology,” says David Greschler, CEO, NomadGo.

“Our technology not only streamlines inventory management but also delivers frequent, highly accurate data that prevents out-of-stock situations and lowers cost of goods sold. Businesses can now match supply to demand with unprecedented precision.” 

Building supply chain efficiency

Traditional inventory relies on manual retrieval, which is only 80-85% accurate and is very labour-intensive. 

Due to the time it takes to manually sort the data, as well as the errors made, traditional inventory taking is inefficient, wasting time and resources on this task rather than putting the manpower elsewhere.

Now, with NomadGo's Inventory AI, businesses are able to get instant and accurate results, so employees can put their energy and resources onto a different task.

With the Spacial Vision technology, employees can scan a full shelf in 30 seconds, rather than counting individual items. 

David adds: “Our proprietary, patented technology makes the jobs of all our customers easier. From the in-store employee conducting the count, to the CFO seeking savings through a smarter and automated supply chain.”

The system works on shelves, refrigerators, thaw racks and display cases, only requiring a smartphone or tablet.

NomadGo's Inventory AI instantly recognises items, so for fast-paced businesses like Starbucks, this saves employees a lot of time so they can focus on other tasks.

“This technology streamlines a critical but time-intensive task,” as Deb Hall Lefevre, Starbucks Chief Technology Officer.

“With faster, more accurate inventory counts, our partners can spend more time focusing on what matters: crafting high-quality beverages and connecting with customers.” 

Meeting customer demand

For Starbucks, NomadGo's recognition of milk jugs and coffee bags will bring efficiency up - both by saving time and by its accuracy.

This enables more accurate purchasing orders, so Starbucks can order exactly what it needs, rather than overspending by purchasing more than needed, or under-ordering and risking running out of products.

In reducing the risk of running out of products, Starbucks can ensure it maintains customer satisfaction and prove itself as a reliable coffeehouse. 

Store operations gain near-perfect visibility thanks to Inventory AI, thus improving frequency of supply chain line of sight, increasing product availability and reducing costs.

Using this product will also help Starbucks cut down on waste; through more accurate purchasing and stock taking, there is less risk of an excess of product.

As Starbucks deals with food and drink, and items have use-by dates, if the store has the correct amount of products, it will be less likely that any of the items go out of date, thus reducing food and drink waste.

This means there are more reliable and sustainable chains.

Deb adds: "At Starbucks, technology isn’t about bells and whistles — it’s about creating meaningful efficiencies that preserve and strengthen craft and connection.

"With automated counting, we’re delivering both a better experience for partners, and a more consistent, delightful experience for every customer who walks through our doors."

All Starbucks owned and operated coffeehouses across North America will be integrating Inventory AI by the end of September 2025.

As a result, Starbucks employees will be able to focus on other activities and customer engagement.

This will help streamline supply chain visibility and see operational efficiency across the country, as well as maintain customer satisfaction.