HomeBase USA scales robot-powered inventory across retail chain

The pilot program delivered quantifiable efficiency gains, including a 92% reduction in pricing errors and a 58% decrease in controllable out-of-stocks. By utilizing Simbe’s technology, the retailer successfully pushed total out-of-stocks below 1% and compressed the time required for annual physical inventories from three days to less than one. For the rural communities served by the chain, the initiative ensures essential supplies remain reliably available on the shelf.

Joel McLiney, CEO of HomeBase, noted that the rapid deployment—completed in under three months—was driven by the immediate impact on daily store operations. Store managers report that the technology eliminates the need for manual troubleshooting, granting associates more time to engage with shoppers. According to Negar Ballard, Senior Director of Sales at Simbe, the project’s success hinged on the retailer's ability to foster new operational habits that prioritize staff time and delight customers.