We’re thrilled to announce that Focal Systems has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in Retail for 2023—ranked #5 among the top ten! This honor recognizes the unique impact Focal has had in reimagining store operations and shelf management across the industry.
- Driving real‑time shelf intelligence
- Self‑Driving Store Operating System: Our plug‑and‑play camera network scans shelves hourly to spot low stock, out‑of‑stock items, and planogram issues—automating decisions that once relied on manual checks.
- Scalable impact: In 2022 alone Focal grew from 40,000 to over 200,000 cameras in market.
- Major retail partners: Leading grocers like Fairway, ShopRite—and as of last year, Walmart—leverage Focal’s data to cut food waste in half, boost profits, and boost associate morale by freeing them for higher‑value tasks.
Why Fast Company took notice
Fast Company’s annual Most Innovative Companies list celebrates organizations reshaping how we work, shop, and live. In the Retail category, Focal stood out for:
- Efficiency gains at scale. Automating inventory checks not only slashes labor costs but dramatically reduces spoilage and stockouts.
- Seamless implementation. Our cameras install in one evening, integrate with existing systems, and require no extra floor space—proving that powerful technology can be non‑disruptive.
- Vision for the future. From predictive ordering to dynamic staffing recommendations, Focal is pioneering a fully autonomous store ecosystem that keeps shelves stocked, customers happy, and retailers agile.
Thank you to our team and partners
This recognition belongs to every engineer, data scientist, operations lead, and retail partner who believed in our mission. Your ingenuity and dedication have turned a bold vision into an industry‑leading solution.
Looking ahead
As we scale further into 2025, we’ll continue refining our AI models, expanding into new markets, and partnering with forward‑thinking retailers to redefine what a “smart store” can be. If you’d like to see Focal in action or explore a pilot, get in touch —we’d love to help your stores thrive like never before.
Here’s to a more efficient, data‑driven future for retail—one shelf snapshot at a time.
Read the full list here.
