Bossa Nova retail robot arrives in UK

Bossa Nova, creator of real-time, on-shelf inventory robots for the retail industry, has opened a UK division in Sheffield.

Bossa Nova provides retailers with data to redesign store operations and improve the customer shopping experience. Its robots drive autonomously through aisles, navigating safely among customers and store associates, and use AI to collect terabytes of data that retailers use to increase on-shelf availability.

The robots are already in use in Walmart stores in the US. The company has not unveiled any planned partnerships with UK retailers yet, but Bossa Nova expects its UK office to grow rapidly.

A Bossa Nova robot navigates autonomously through supermarket aisles.

Sheffield was chosen for the new office due to its universities’ excellence in robotics and access to world-class talent, Bossa Nova said.

Bossa Nova also announced it has appointed Red McKay as managing director of both its UK and European divisions, based in the new office. Sheffield local McKay joins Bossa Nova from previous roles at Hornby Hobbies as operations and product development director and supply chain director.

“The UK is a natural extension for our retail service solutions, and we expect rapid expansion under the leadership of Red McKay,” said Martin Hitch, co-founder and chief business officer of Bossa Nova. “Red’s experience of working for retailers and their suppliers will ensure a successful launch of our services in the UK.”

“Sheffield has access to first-class talent and a global reputation for excellence in robotics, so it is no surprise Bossa Nova has chosen to open its first international HQ in the city,” said the Minister for Investment, Graham Stuart MP. “Bossa Nova’s office move is another endorsement of Britain’s world-class investment environment, particularly outside of London, for the world’s leading tech companies.”