Foodstuffs cuts food waste with AI-powered stock management
Foodstuffs North Island is leading the way in food waste reduction by rolling out the WhyWaste AI system across more than 80 supermarkets.
Managing thousands of product lines, many with short shelf lives, Foodstuffs faced the constant challenge of optimising stock rotation to ensure freshness, reduce waste, and maintain quality for customers.
WhyWaste leverages artificial intelligence and data analytics to track expiry dates, prompt timely stock rotation, and suggest markdowns or donations for at-risk goods.
The system integrates with point-of-sale data, generates real-time insights for store teams, and supports proactive stock management, turning what was once a manual, error-prone process into a streamlined, data-driven routine.
Since adopting WhyWaste, stores like New World Whangaparāoa and Four Square Matakana have seen dramatic drops in food waste, up to 90% in some locations, while also improving forecasting, saving staff time, and reducing customer complaints.
The AI system empowers staff with actionable prompts and deepens their engagement in sustainability efforts.
For Foodstuffs, this AI-powered approach isn’t just about cutting waste; it’s about delivering better value to customers, supporting community food donations, and taking a big step towards their goal of zero edible food waste to landfill by 2027.
