Starbucks will discontinue its AI inventory management program after nine months of operation. The “Automated Counting” software, launched in September 2025 for North American stores, was intended to enhance inventory tracking efficiency.
The program, developed in collaboration with NomadGo, allowed employees to use mobile devices to scan items on shelves and automate the counting process for products such as milks and syrups. However, the tool reportedly struggled with accuracy, frequently mislabeling and miscounting items, including confusing similar types of milk and missing them altogether.
A video embedded in a blog post from September showed the system failing to recognize a bottle of peppermint syrup during a test scan, indicating serious operational flaws. Chief Technology Officer Deb Hall Lefevre had previously promoted the tool in the same post, claiming it would improve stock visibility and enhance customer service. The blog was later deleted.
As a result of the discontinuation, employees, referred to as “partners” at Starbucks, will revert to manual inventory counting for beverage components and milk. An internal company newsletter announced the return to manual processes, with employees expressing relief at the change. One employee commented, “Thanks for discontinuing Automatic Counting! The thought behind it was great, but the execution was proving difficult.”
