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Salt Lake City-based retailer cooperative Associated Food Stores (AFS) has announced a strategic partnership with software provider GoSpotCheck by FORM to deploy a mobile task management platform across its network.

The rollout impacts a massive operational footprint, covering more than 450 independently owned supermarkets and 41 corporate stores across eight western states. The move is designed to equip the Member Retail Service team with advanced tools for capturing shelf intelligence and merchandising insights in real-time.

A Tech-Forward Cooperative

The deployment marks the latest phase in an aggressive technology investment strategy by AFS. Throughout 2025, the cooperative established itself as an innovation leader within the grocery sector, activating AI-powered warehouse automation at its Utah distribution centre and scaling the use of retail media and smart cart technologies.

By integrating GoSpotCheck, AFS is extending this modernisation drive from the warehouse to the retail floor. The platform will be utilised to capture granular data during store visits by account managers and department heads, replacing legacy manual processes.

Operational Impact

The implementation focuses on providing critical visibility to key internal divisions, specifically the Marketing, Exclusive Brands, and Fresh Teams.

Key Capabilities:

• Real-Time Data: Immediate capture of shelf conditions and compliance.

• Agility: Enabling faster decision-making based on live field inputs.

• Consistency: Driving uniform merchandising execution across a diverse network of independent retailers.

April Rice, VP of Retail Support at Associated Food Stores, framed the software adoption as a competitive advantage for members:

Jeremy DeSilva, Senior Sales Director at FORM, added: "Associated Food Stores has consistently led the industry in adopting technology that empowers independent grocers to compete and win. We're proud to be part of their technology ecosystem, connecting people, places, and processes so their teams can act on insights and move forward in the market."