Will Autonomous Box Trucks Deliver the Goods for Kroger?

Autonomous vehicles are expected to increase Kroger’s “speed and responsiveness” in fulfilling online orders and reduce its middle-mile supply chain costs. Sam’s Club last June said it was deploying automated box trucks to make deliveries of Georgia-Pacific paper goods to its 34 locations in the area. The Sam’s Club pilot project was part of parent company Walmart’s ongoing efforts to test autonomous vehicles for middle- and last-mile deliveries. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: How long will it be before retailers such as Kroger and Walmart scale the use of autonomous trucks to make middle-mile deliveries? What other roles do you see for autonomous vehicles in retail operations?