Starbucks Uses AI and AR to Cut Inventory Counts from Hours to Minutes
Starbucks is pushing further into AI-powered retail technology, rolling out a new automated inventory counting system across all company-operated stores in North America by the end of September 2025. Developed with Seattle-based NomadGo, the system combines computer vision, 3D spatial intelligence, and augmented reality on handheld tablets to instantly scan shelves and identify stock levels. Items running low are flagged automatically, allowing store teams to address shortages before they impact customers. According to Starbucks, tasks that previously took about an hour now take only 10 to 15 minutes, enabling baristas to conduct counts up to eight times more frequently than before. Executives said the platform will eventually be able to automate restock orders, further streamlining operations.Boosting Efficiency and Customer Experience
Deb Hall Lefevre, Starbucks’ chief technology officer, emphasized the brand’s focus on efficiency and consistency:“At Starbucks, technology isn’t about bells and whistles — it’s about creating meaningful efficiencies that preserve and strengthen craft and connection,” Lefevre said.
By providing real-time data pulses, the new system allows for smarter supply chain decisions, faster deliveries, and fewer stockouts. The result: partners spend less time on clipboards and more time with customers.
Part of a Larger Tech Push
This inventory innovation is Starbucks’ third major tech announcement in recent months: - In May, the company launched Shift Marketplace, a tool for baristas to swap and manage shifts. - In June, it unveiled Green Dot Assist, a generative AI assistant for store operations, alongside a Next Gen POS system currently in pilot.AI and AR at Scale
With nearly 17,000 stores in North America, Starbucks sees enormous potential in automating back-of-house functions. By using AI and AR to handle repetitive, labor-intensive tasks, the company aims to unlock measurable efficiency gains while keeping stores reliably stocked.The deployment of NomadGo’s system marks another step in Starbucks’ broader strategy: using technology not just to innovate, but to elevate both partner and customer experiences at scale.
