Innovation of the Week is a subscriber-only series highlighting retail initiatives that have caught the eye of our team. Every week, we will bring you new ideas and case studies that link to the trends in our Retail Horizon 2024 reports – across consumer, technology, sustainability, and economy, policy and industry.

What is it?

Sainsbury’s is investing in new AI veterinary technology to measure and enhance positive animal welfare on dairy farms. 

In a global first for retail, the new AI “vet tech” from Vet Vision AI works by analysing footage from cameras to manage dairy cows, identifying when animals are happy and healthy from patterns of behaviour, and assisting with the early identification of illness and disease.

The ability for round-the-clock monitoring enables more informed decision-making, giving farmers unique insights that they may not be able to identify with standard vet visits.

Initially trialled on 30 of Sainsbury’s Dairy Development Group farms, the aim is to roll out the technology further next year to around 170 farms supplying Sainsbury’s own-brand milk.

Why does it matter?

Investing in food security and animal welfare are key priorities for the grocery industry.

By observing their behaviour, farmers and grocers can understand whether animals are happy and healthy, learn more about ways to improve comfort, and make suggested improvements. 

“Investing in British farming and continuously improving animal health and welfare are key priorities for us and this innovative new technology will mean we can help both farmer and animal. Our dairy farmers that are using the technology are already seeing real benefits and we look forward to expanding it to our wider network of Dairy Development Group farms soon”

Dr Matt Turner, vet and agriculture manager, Sainsbury’s

Strategic implications

AI offers huge opportunities to increase productivity and efficiency across every aspect of retailers’ operations and supply chains. Expect more activity in this space as retailers prioritise tech investment for quality and efficiency.

Winning strategies

  • Focus on innovation
  • Enhanced supply chain transparency

Retail Horizon 2024 is Retail Week’s exclusive strategic toolkit for subscribers. 

Across four in-depth reports, Retail Week research director Lisa Byfield-Green and our team of analysts explore the most significant trends that will shape the sector in the year ahead across consumer, technology, sustainability, and industry, economy and policy. 

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