Girls get hands-on with retail robots at BJ’s Wholesale Club STEM program

BJ’s Wholesale Club recently hosted Girls Inc. of Worcester students for a behind-the-scenes look at how STEM powers retail operations, featuring demonstrations of autonomous robotics technology. The initiative highlights growing efforts by retailers to inspire the next generation of female STEM leaders while showcasing how advanced automation is transforming modern retail environments.

What you should know: The visit was part of the Eureka program, a STEM-intensive leadership initiative for girls in grades 8-12.

• Caroline Krieger, Robotics & Automation Manager at BJ’s Wholesale Club, shared her career journey and demonstrated how retail robotics work in practice.
• The students got hands-on experience with Tally, an autonomous shelf-scanning robot that’s part of Simbe’s Store Intelligence platform.
• Simbe, a retail automation company, provided branded merchandise that the students were excited to take home.

Why this matters: The retail industry is increasingly relying on robotics and automation for operations, creating new career opportunities in STEM fields that have traditionally been male-dominated.

• Women remain underrepresented in robotics and automation roles within retail technology.
• Programs like this help expose young women to real-world applications of STEM skills in high-growth sectors.

What they’re saying: Industry leaders emphasized the importance of showing young women what’s possible in STEM careers.

• “These bright young women were part of the Eureka program – a STEM intensive leadership initiative for girls in grades 8-12. It was an honor to share my career journey in STEM and give them a glimpse into the exciting work I get to do everyday to bring retail robotics to life at BJ’s,” Krieger said.
• “Here’s to inspiring the next generation of innovators, and to building a future where they lead the way,” she added.

The bigger picture: Simbe recently announced the formation of its strategic advisory board, signaling increased focus on retail automation technology.

• The company positions itself as building “retail’s fourth pillar of truth: shelf intelligence” alongside traditional data sources like supply chain, point-of-sale systems, and consumer engagement data.
• “For decades, retail has relied on three data sources: supply chain, Point of Sale, and consumer engagement. But none of those capture what happens where shoppers make purchase decisions: the shelf,” said Caitlin Allen, SVP of Market at Simbe.

Who’s involved: Simbe’s new strategic advisory board includes former executives from major retailers.

• Anne Mezzenga: CEO and Co-founder of OmniTalk, a retail industry platform; former Target executive who led the Store of the Future project.
• Bennett Morgan: BCG Senior Advisor; former executive at SpartanNash, Amazon, Walmart, and H-E-B.
• Bob Hardester: Former CIO and Chief Supply Chain Officer at Schnucks Markets and Express Scripts.
• Bruce Burrows: Former CIO at Sobeys and Loblaw.
• Marybeth Hays: Former EVP at Walmart U.S. Consumables & Health.
• Sean Spillane: Former SVP of Strategy & Real Estate at Stop & Shop.

Key stats: Retail technology investments are surging significantly.

• Capital expenditures increased 91% year-over-year in Q2.
• In-store retail technology spending jumped 151% year-over-year, according to Allen.