Alert Innovation Adds Retail Veteran Kevin Konkel to Retail Advisory Council

BOSTON – Alert Innovation, a leader in grocery automation and micro fulfillment systems, is adding former Raley’s Chief Operations Officer Kevin Konkel to its Retail Advisory Council (RAC) effective immediately.

“The retail grocery industry is facing several critical challenges and opportunities as we emerge from the pandemic. Automation in general and automated micro fulfillment specifically will help address many of these issues head on,” said Konkel. “I’m excited to draw on my decades of experience to help Alert Innovation tailor-fit its solutions to the supermarket pain points and opportunities accelerated during the last two years.”

Konkel spent over 40 years at Raley’s Family of Fine Stores, a supermarket chain operating about 250 locations in California and the Southwest, the last four as Chief Operations Officer. He was previously Senior Vice President of Store Operations and served Raley’s in many other roles during his career.

“Kevin will add an important perspective to the RAC, giving Alert Innovation the benefit of all the skills he’s developed during his four decades of success in supermarket retail as an industry leader. We look forward to collaborating with him,” said John Lert, Founder and Executive Chairman of Alert Innovation.

The RAC is an alliance of executives and academics with expertise in grocery, retail, consumer behavior and e-commerce, and was established to influence development efforts at Alert Innovation focused on improving omnichannel grocery experiences. In addition to Konkel, members include:

• Peter Fader – Professor of Marketing – The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
• Chris Haimbach – US Head of Sales, Commercial Strategy & Operations, Consumer Health Care – Bayer
• Ann Raider – Executive, Global Retail – IRI
• Peter Larkin – Former President & CEO – National Grocers Association
• Doug Straton – Former Chief Digital Officer at The Hershey Company
• Venky Shankar – Coleman Chair Professor, Director of Research – Center for Retailing Studies at Mays Business School, Texas A&M

About Alert Innovation, Inc

Alert Innovation^® is a thought leader in Grocery automation, driving innovation that improves lives by transforming how retailers operate and people shop. Alert Innovation is an industry leader in robotic e-grocery fulfillment. The Alphabot^® system, designed by the Alert Innovation team is a unique automated fulfillment solution that utilizes patented omnidirectional robots in a temperature-controlled system for fresh, efficient, and high-quality grocery fulfillment. Alert Innovation also designed the Novastore™, a store concept utilizing the Alphabot system, delivering a dynamic and efficient shopping experience. www.alertinnovation.com

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