HomeBase USA has deployed Simbe Robotics’ Store Intelligence platform across all of its stores following a pilot program that the company said demonstrated improvements in inventory accuracy and store operations. The rollout, completed in less than three months, extends the use of Simbe’s Tally inventory-scanning robot and related software to locations in Texas, Wyoming, Kansas and Missouri.
According to HomeBase, the pilot reduced pricing errors by 92%, lowered controllable out-of-stock items by 58%, reduced total out-of-stocks to below 1%, and shortened the time required for annual physical inventories from three days to less than one day.
HomeBase operates stores offering farm and ranch supplies, building materials, hardware, seasonal products and other household goods. The company said continuous monitoring of shelf conditions enables store employees to identify inventory and pricing issues before they affect customers, particularly in rural communities where alternative shopping locations may be less accessible.
Joel McLiney, owner and chief executive officer of HomeBase, said the pilot helped employees focus on daily operational priorities and provided the confidence to expand the technology across the chain. Tim Blakesley, a HomeBase store manager, said the system allows store teams to begin each day with prioritized tasks rather than spending time manually identifying issues, enabling associates to devote more time to customer service.
Simbe Robotics said HomeBase integrated the platform into its daily operating processes rather than treating it solely as a technology deployment. Negar Ballard, senior director of sales at Simbe, said the retailer established operating practices that helped employees prioritize their work and adopt the system across the organization.
The deployment comes as retailers continue to seek technology to improve inventory management and store execution amid labor constraints and increasing operational complexity. HomeBase cited Coresight Research’s State of In-Store Retailing 2026 report, which estimated that in-store inefficiencies account for 6.4% of annual gross sales across major U.S. retail sectors, representing approximately $196.4 billion.
