Wegmans Food Markets is the first grocery chain in the U.S. to partner with Aira, a mobile app that offers next generation shopping assistance to customers who are blind or have low vision.
As the first partner in the Aira Supermarket Network, all 97 Wegmans stores are now Aira Access Locations, giving any member of the blind and low-vision community free access to Aira’s service while in Wegmans stores.
Aira offers real-time assistance from trained professionals during shopping trips, using live camera streams, a mobile app and/or smart glasses. Blind or low vision individuals can use their smartphones as streaming devices, essentially bringing a professional along with them to help locate the apples in the produce section using a real-time visual of the store and verbal directions. Aira employees can also use the internet to look up, for example, the type of milk a customer might be looking for or where the salsa can be found in the store, and relay that information to the shopper.
Smart glasses that work with the Aira app are not available at Wegmans stores, but customers can download the mobile app for free and register as a guest.
Wegmans has a well-established reputation of providing incredible customer service, and in 2018 ranked no. 1 on the Temkin Experience Ratings for providing the best customer experience of any supermarket in the country, and they were also on PEOPLE magazine’s list of “50 Companies That Care.”
“I’m excited to have Wegmans as our first partner in the Aira Supermarket Network,” said Suman Kanuganti, Founder and CEO of Aira. “Their commitment to ensuring all customers have the same great Wegmans shopping experience is inspiring and I’m proud to call them a partner.”
“At Wegmans, we are committed to providing incredible customer service to all our shoppers,” said Linda Lovejoy, community relations manager for Wegmans. “Our partnership with Aira helps us deliver on this commitment, giving our blind and low-vision customers access to this innovative service and the ability to navigate our stores easily and efficiently.”
Blind and low vision shoppers can download the Aira app on their smartphone and use it to connect to a remote, sighted agent to access information on-demand. On request, Aira agents can help shoppers navigate the store, find specific items, and identify the shortest checkout lines all at just the touch of a button. You can download the app at aira.io/app, register as a guest, and use Aira for free in any Wegmans store.
About Wegmans
Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is a 97-store supermarket chain with stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts. The family-owned company, recognized as an industry leader and innovator, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016.
Wegmans has been named one of the ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’ by FORTUNE magazine for 21 consecutive years, ranking #2 in 2018.
About Aira
AI stands for Artificial Intelligence; RA stands for Remote Access. When you put them together you get Aira. Aira is a service that uses artificial intelligence and augmented reality to connect people to highly trained, remotely-located agents. At the touch of a button, Aira delivers instant access to information, enhancing everyday efficiency, engagement, and independence.
Visit aira.io or call 800-835-1934 to learn more.
