What AI Means for Independent Grocers in 2025: BRdata's New Assistant Ada

In today’s fast-moving retail world, staying ahead means being smart with your data. But let’s be honest — most independent grocers and wholesalers don’t have time to dig through spreadsheets or learn complex software. That’s where artificial intelligence (AI) can help.

BRdata, 2024 IGA Red Oval Service Provider of the Year, recently introduced a fresh take on AI for independent grocery stores: a virtual assistant named Ada. But before we get into what Ada can do, let’s break down what AI is — and isn’t — and how it can actually help your business without the confusing tech talk.

First, What Is AI and Why Should You Care?

AI, or Artificial Intelligence, is a technology that can look at large amounts of data and find patterns, trends, and answers faster than a human ever could. Think of it as a super-smart assistant that never sleeps.

But AI isn’t magic — and it isn’t perfect. Like any tool, it needs to be used wisely.

"Let's be clear, AI can help make better decisions, but it still has some issues to watch out for," BRdata President John Abbene said. A few potential issues driving skepticism are:

• “Hallucinations” – LLMs (Large Language Models) may misinterpret the question, leading to a response that can be statistically likely but incorrect.
• Bias – AI learns from data, so if the data is flawed, the results can be too.
• The “Black Box” Problem – Sometimes it’s hard to understand how AI reached its conclusions, which can feel risky.
• Security and Trust – With so much data moving around, privacy and accuracy matter more than ever.

So, what’s the bottom line? Use AI to support decisions — not replace common sense.

Introducing Ada: Your AI Assistant from BRdata

BRdata, a company with over 40 years of experience serving the independent grocery industry, was ready to tackle AI for independent grocers. They built Ada, a smart AI assistant, specifically for grocers like you.

"Think of Ada as a, 'Hey, can you look that up for me?' helper that understands your business," Abbene said, adding that you can ask her things like:

• “What was my top prepared food item last weekend”
• “What were my top-selling products yesterday?”
• “How is my meat department performing?”
• “What items are seeing shrink or loss?”

She responds in plain language — no complicated menus or report-running required.

Real Ways Ada Can Help Your Store

Ada is more than just a cool tech feature. She’s built to solve real problems grocers face every day. Here are a few examples:

1. Track Shrink and Loss
   Shrink (inventory loss from theft, spoilage, or error) is a hidden cost that adds up fast. Ada can monitor your numbers and flag problem areas so you can act before it becomes a bigger issue.
   
   
2. Monitor Sales and Labor
   Need to know how sales are trending or if your labor costs are too high? Ada can track both and give you insights in real-time. Quickly compare item, brand, department, or category sales from one period to another.
   
   
3. Gross Margin
   Ada can identify potential gross margin issues caused by overlooked retail changes or unintentionally extended sales or promotions.
   
   
4. Help With Promotions
   Have a beer-of-the-week or bakery markdown deal? Ada can keep an eye on how those promotions are performing, so you know if they’re worth repeating.
   
   
5. Multilingual Support
   Working with a diverse staff? Ada supports multiple languages, making it easier for your whole team to understand and use her.
   
   
6. Production Planning
   Want to make sure your bakery is baking the right amount each day? Ada can help predict demand so you’re not over- or under-producing.

While the technology behind Ada may not be simple, the key message is: it’s time to start trusting your data — but with the right tools in place. BRdata’s AI assistant Ada isn’t about replacing people or gut instinct. It's about making life easier, decisions faster, and your store more profitable.

And for independent grocers, that could be a game-changer.

Want to learn more?
Contact John Abbene at BRdata.