Dive Brief:
- RaceTrac has selected Blue Yonder to improve its supply chain and warehouse operations to support the convenience retailer’s growth plans, according to a Tuesday announcement.
- The Atlanta-based c-store company plans to implement Blue Yonder’s Warehouse Management, Labor Management and Transportation Modeling solutions. RaceTrac has also been using Blue Yonder’s supply chain product for more than 20 years, according to the announcement.
- RaceTrac has been upgrading multiple parts of its tech stack in recent months. This includes implementing an edge computing platform to centralize management and provide real-time insights, and switching its servers to Hewlett Packard Enterprise ProLiant options.
Dive Insight:
These improvements aim to help fuel RaceTrac’s ambitious expansion plans, including moving into new markets. The company opened its first stores in South Carolina and Indiana in late 2023 and has its eyes on North Carolina next.
“We needed a solution that would allow us to not only improve our basic system functionality but allow us to meet the needs of our growing business,” said Daniel Vasseur, executive director of merchandise supply chain for RaceTrac.
The company is also looking to focus on its larger travel center format, according to the announcement.
Blue Yonder’s Warehouse Management product helps companies streamline operations and reallocate assets, improving accuracy and productivity while reducing costs, according to the company’s website.
Labor Management helps companies plan for long-term staffing needs and understand individual productivity and performance. Transportation Modeling, meanwhile, helps the company plan out the most efficient transportation networks and quickly respond to disruptions to those plans.
The project will be implemented by Open Sky Group, Blue Yonder’s partner, according to the announcement.
RaceTrac isn’t the first in the c-store space to tap Blue Yonder’s solutions. Jacksons Food Stores partnered with the company in September to update its space and category management capabilities.
Atlanta-based RaceTrac operates nearly 800 convenience stores under its RaceTrac and RaceWay banners in 13 states.
