Fleet Feet, a leading retailer in running and fitness products, has integrated Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) to optimize operations at its 75,000-square-foot distribution center in Durham, North Carolina. This move comes as the company expands its store network and seeks to increase efficiency, reduce errors, and enhance order fulfillment speed.
Overcoming Logistics Challenges
With the acquisition of JackRabbit in 2021, Fleet Feet added 55 new stores, increasing its retail presence to over 80 company-owned locations. However, the growing inventory demand made traditional warehouse methods inefficient. To tackle this, Fleet Feet implemented:
✔ AMRs from Locus Robotics to assist workers in picking and moving inventory.
✔ A new warehouse management system (WMS) from Körber to improve stock accuracy.
Key Benefits of AMR Integration
- Doubled Picking Speed – Productivity jumped from 85 units/hour to over 180 units/hour, with some workers exceeding 250 units/hour.
- Higher Inventory Accuracy – Accuracy levels now exceed 99.5%, ensuring precise stock tracking.
- Faster Order Fulfillment – The average order cycle dropped from 3.5 days to just half a day, allowing more frequent store replenishments.
- Improved Worker Conditions – AMRs reduce walking distances, streamline onboarding, and provide multilingual instructions, making operations faster and more ergonomic.
Scalability for Future Growth
As Fleet Feet eyes an expansion to 400 stores, the scalable AMR system will allow seamless growth without needing extensive manual labor increases. The company’s ability to leverage automation while maintaining high service levels positions it as a leader in logistics innovation for the retail industry.
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