ReSKU
Minimizing warehouse food-waste
My Role
My Role
Research, end-to-end design
Research, end-to-end design
Team
Team
7 members
7 members
Timeline
Timeline
Research & Analysis - 14 weeks - 1 week
Design - 2 weeks
Research & Analysis - 14 weeks - 1 week
Design - 2 weeks
Overview
Overview
Kroger’s sustainability initiative, "Zero Hunger Zero Waste," (Zero Hunger | Zero Waste – the Kroger Co., n.d.-b) aims to end hunger in the communities it serves and eliminate waste across the company by 2030.
This goal of rescuing surplus food from stores, has enabled Kroger to donate millions of pounds of food to worthy food banks. The donation process is also quite time-consuming - with manual paperwork, informal communication and coordination.
This project introduces ReSKU, a web app and a companion mobile app to streamline this process by digitizing it, to facilitate faster and more efficient food donations.
Kroger’s sustainability initiative, "Zero Hunger Zero Waste," (Zero Hunger | Zero Waste – the Kroger Co., n.d.-b) aims to end hunger in the communities it serves and eliminate waste across the company by 2030.
This goal of rescuing surplus food from stores, has enabled Kroger to donate millions of pounds of food to worthy food banks. The donation process is also quite time-consuming - with manual paperwork, informal communication and coordination.
This project introduces ReSKU, a web app and a companion mobile app to streamline this process by digitizing it, to facilitate faster and more efficient food donations.
Highlight
Highlight
A donation process that aligns with Kroger’s best practices, supports sustainability, and strengthens food bank partnerships.
A donation process that aligns with Kroger’s best practices, supports sustainability, and strengthens food bank partnerships.
Warehouse perspective
Warehouse perspective
Select items that are fit for donation!
Foodbank perspective
Foodbank perspective
Place an order and co-ordinate your pickup!
Jump to final prototype
↓
Hackathon Challenge
Hackathon Challenge
How can Kroger’s supply chain data reveal sustainability opportunities for the Zero-Hunger-Zero-Waste 2030 strategy? What data should we focus on, and how can we visualize it for actionable insights?
How can Kroger’s supply chain data reveal sustainability opportunities for the Zero-Hunger-Zero-Waste 2030 strategy? What data should we focus on, and how can we visualize it for actionable insights?
Approach
Approach
We approached the problem with two mentalities:
Iterative mindset: Multiple rounds of data collection and analysis.
Agile methodology: Adapting research and design direction on emerging patterns.
We approached the problem with two mentalities:
Iterative mindset: Multiple rounds of data collection and analysis.
Agile methodology: Adapting research and design direction on emerging patterns.
Design process
Design process
A design thinking approach focused on achieving business goals and delivering innovative solutions.
A design thinking approach focused on achieving business goals and delivering innovative solutions.
As designers, we always empathize with our users, but can we empathize with a commodity that could be given a second chance and reach people’s home.
As designers, we always empathize with our users, but can we empathize with a commodity that could be given a second chance and reach people’s home.
Can ambient products be saved?
Can ambient products be saved?
In Kroger's warehouse, ambient products that are expired or damaged are deemed unfit for retail according to damage protocols and are typically discarded. However, Kroger now seeks to find alternative uses for these damaged products rather than simply disposing them.
In Kroger's warehouse, ambient products that are expired or damaged are deemed unfit for retail according to damage protocols and are typically discarded. However, Kroger now seeks to find alternative uses for these damaged products rather than simply disposing them.
Are there businesses who take a sustainable approach?
Are there businesses who take a sustainable approach?
Market taxonomy
Market taxonomy
To identify opportunities for repurposing damaged products, we conducted a Market Taxonomy, analyzing similar services that recover food and goods. This analysis included target audiences, product appeal, marketing strategies, damage categories, pricing, and sales channels.
To identify opportunities for repurposing damaged products, we conducted a Market Taxonomy, analyzing similar services that recover food and goods. This analysis included target audiences, product appeal, marketing strategies, damage categories, pricing, and sales channels.
Identifying opportunities by selecting the top attributes from across competitors.
Identifying opportunities by selecting the top attributes from across competitors.
What if Kroger had it's own second change store integrated into the service design blueprint of warehouse operations?
What if Kroger had it's own second change store integrated into the service design blueprint of warehouse operations?
What are second chance stores:
What are second chance stores:
A designated space within Kroger warehouses for unsellable items, organized on shelves based on damage level, with an efficient on-site pickup and payment system. Items would also be listed on an online portal, allowing employees to browse and select what they need.
A designated space within Kroger warehouses for unsellable items, organized on shelves based on damage level, with an efficient on-site pickup and payment system. Items would also be listed on an online portal, allowing employees to browse and select what they need.
Seeking expert feedback by presenting our idea to Warehouse Managers, Food Donation Coordinators, and members of the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste team.
Seeking expert feedback by presenting our idea to Warehouse Managers, Food Donation Coordinators, and members of the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste team.
The dead-end
The dead-end
We met with stakeholders to understand the key players in this process, identify roles we could leverage, clarify operational details, and outline the phases needed to bring our concept to life.
However, our concept was set aside for the following reasons:
We met with stakeholders to understand the key players in this process, identify roles we could leverage, clarify operational details, and outline the phases needed to bring our concept to life.
However, our concept was set aside for the following reasons:
1.
1.
Kroger had previously attempted a similar idea but encountered significant logistical challenges.
Kroger had previously attempted a similar idea but encountered significant logistical challenges.
2.
2.
Selling inventory back to employees conflicts with Kroger’s core objectives.
Selling inventory back to employees conflicts with Kroger’s core objectives.
3.
3.
The idea missed the opportunity to foster a collaborative partnership with the community.
The idea missed the opportunity to foster a collaborative partnership with the community.
Oh what now? Scrap the whole idea? - Nah, not really, we can make an informed pivot!
Oh what now? Scrap the whole idea? - Nah, not really, we can make an informed pivot!
Leveraging insights
Leveraging insights
Although our concept didn’t align with Kroger’s goals, we sought valuable feedback from experts to guide our next steps.
And the question emerged:
Although our concept didn’t align with Kroger’s goals, we sought valuable feedback from experts to guide our next steps.
And the question emerged:
“What if a donation mechanism was leveraged to redirect the outflow part of our concept?”
“What if a donation mechanism was leveraged to redirect the outflow part of our concept?”
Pivot for a better cause and business goals
Pivot for a better cause and business goals
The tale of two warehouses
The tale of two warehouses
Areas of improvement
Areas of improvement
Miscommunication
Miscommunication
Miscommunication arises due to informal channels like text and phone calls.
Miscommunication arises due to informal channels like text and phone calls.
Ineffective Reporting
Ineffective Reporting
Due to labor intensive manual processes & a lack of system integration, data becomes unreliable.
Due to labor intensive manual processes & a lack of system integration, data becomes unreliable.
Variable Systems
Variable Systems
Each warehouse handles unsellable goods differently.
Each warehouse handles unsellable goods differently.
📍 Seymour, IN
📍 Seymour, IN
📍 Shelbyville, IN
📍 Shelbyville, IN
Visiting these warehouses gave us a clear understanding of the challenges that complicate donations to food banks.
Visiting these warehouses gave us a clear understanding of the challenges that complicate donations to food banks.
Revamped Opportunity
Revamped Opportunity
How might we help Kroger warehouses digitize the handling of unsellable goods to ensure clear and efficient coordination with food banks?
How might we help Kroger warehouses digitize the handling of unsellable goods to ensure clear and efficient coordination with food banks?
Integrating our concept (ReSKU) into Kroger's service design model by leveraging the existing warehouse processes and channels used by Food-bank co-ordinators.
Integrating our concept (ReSKU) into Kroger's service design model by leveraging the existing warehouse processes and channels used by Food-bank co-ordinators.
How ReSKU helps?
Digital Reporting
Utilizing digital reporting and analytics for enhanced information retrieval, record-keeping, and accountability.
Official Channels
Maintaining official Kroger channels for both synchronous and asynchronous coordination.
Standardization
Establishing scalable standard procedures to streamline workflows across multiple warehouses.
Prototype
Prototype
ReSKU - a progressive web app (PWA) and a companion mobile app designed to enhance coordination between warehouse employees and food bank representatives for better digital donation management.
ReSKU - a progressive web app (PWA) and a companion mobile app designed to enhance coordination between warehouse employees and food bank representatives for better digital donation management.
Enabling warehouse operations managers to easily select items for donation, connect with food banks, and generate reports on commodity outflow.
Enabling warehouse operations managers to easily select items for donation, connect with food banks, and generate reports on commodity outflow.
Helping food bank managers coordinate with warehouses
and receive inventory.
Helping food bank managers coordinate with warehouses
and receive inventory.
Presenting our idea to Kroger’s board of directors at the hackathon to realize
the potential impact.
Presenting our idea to Kroger’s board of directors at the hackathon to realize
the potential impact.
An applauded culmination to the project
An applauded culmination to the project
We had the chance to pitch our idea at the Eco-Kroger Hackathon, competing alongside other internal Kroger teams. Although we didn’t take home the top prize, our team earned an honorable mention for our forward-thinking approach, aligning closely with Kroger’s business goals and their Zero Hunger | Zero Waste mission.
Here’s how Kroger saw our design solution contributing to their vision.
We had the chance to pitch our idea at the Eco-Kroger Hackathon, competing alongside other internal Kroger teams. Although we didn’t take home the top prize, our team earned an honorable mention for our forward-thinking approach, aligning closely with Kroger’s business goals and their Zero Hunger | Zero Waste mission.
Here’s how Kroger saw our design solution contributing to their vision.
How will ReSKU help Kroger business…
How will ReSKU help Kroger business…
Reduced disposal costs
Reduced disposal costs
Tax deductions
Actionable inventory data
Actionable inventory data
Brand awareness
Brand awareness
How will ReSKU help achieve sustainability goals…
How will ReSKU help achieve sustainability goals…
Reduce carbon footprint
Reduce carbon footprint
Support local communities
Support local communities
Conserve resources
Conserve resources
Rescue more food - ZHZW
Rescue more food - ZHZW
And that's me!
And that's me!
REFLECTION
What could I have done differently?
Hindsight
✳︎
It is crucial to keep context in mind while doing research and usability testing.
✳︎
New innovative concepts may benefit users, but they may not necessarily align with business objectives.
✳︎
Understanding and working without technological limits encouraged us to think creatively and find novel approaches.
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CONTENTS
Overview
Hackathon challenge
Competitor analysis
Initial concept
Review & pivot
On-site research
Service design model
Final solution
Potential impact
Reflection