Retail

Musgrave’s €50m bet on AI technology is just the start

A visit to the grocery giant’s newly updated distribution centre shows that the future of retail is in robotic hands

Luke Hanlon, Musgrave’s chief supply chain officer, and Ian Allen, managing director of SuperValu and Centra. Picture: John Allen

Luke Hanlon was in festive spirits as he strode across the floor of Musgrave’s enormous distribution centre just outside Kilcock in Co Kildare.

“Welcome to Santa’s grotto,” he laughed as we entered the 400,000 square foot facility (over 9 acres in size), which is the largest site in Musgrave’s network of 11 distribution centres on the island of Ireland.

As chief supply chain officer for the family-controlled food wholesale giant, Hanlon has arguably been one ...