With consumer behavior permanently altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, grocery retailers are racing to meet the demand for efficient, reliable, and customer-friendly e-commerce solutions. The stakes are high, as consumers increasingly expect seamless experiences combining the best of digital and in-store shopping. Here, Sharath Chandra Edupuganti has found his mettle.
With an MBA from the University of California, Irvine, and a background in Computer Science, Sharath Chandra Edupuganti has honed his expertise across industries, including leadership roles at Peet’s Coffee & Tea and Sun Microsystems.
As the senior director of digital product management at the fourth-largest grocery retailer in the United States, he leads the product for e-commerce fulfillment division. His leadership blends innovation with execution, driving systems that enhance customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. His vision and technological expertise redefine how grocery orders are fulfilled in the digital age.
The Growing Demand for Grocery E-commerce
While the pandemic initially fueled online grocery adoption, its growth has persisted, averaging 14.2% annually since 2021. This expansion is projected to continue, outpacing in-store sales by a factor of three over the next three years. By 2028, online grocery is expected to represent 12.7% of total grocery sales, with market leadership concentrated among Walmart, Amazon, Instacart, Kroger, Target, and Albertsons.
Meeting these expectations is no small feat. Grocery retailers must address the challenges of perishable goods, intricate supply chains, and last-mile logistics while maintaining profitability in a fiercely competitive environment. Sharath Chandra Edupuganti acknowledges these challenges: “Our goal is to make e-commerce as seamless and intuitive as walking into a store. That means solving problems for customers and the associates who serve them.”
Redefining Fulfillment
Sharath Chandra Edupuganti’s most notable achievement at the leading grocery chain has been developing and deploying a proprietary in-house fulfillment tool. This platform, launched within six months, is operational across 2,000 stores and used daily by 15,000 associates. It integrates advanced order prioritization and pick-path optimization, driving a 16 percent improvement in efficiency.
“It’s about creating tools that work intuitively for the people on the frontlines,” he explains. “These systems streamline processes and empower associates to deliver the best possible customer experience.”
Beyond the technical innovations, Sharath Chandra Edupuganti has also prioritized customer engagement. His team introduced a real-time shopping assistant, allowing customers to chat directly with store associates about order adjustments. This feature has increased customer satisfaction, reflected in a boost to the company’s Net Promoter Score (NPS).
The Fulfillment-as-a-Service Model
Under Sharath Chandra Edupuganti’s leadership, the well-known grocery store has also embraced a Fulfillment-as-a-Service model, leveraging its in-house capabilities to onboard third-party partners. This initiative has enabled customers to get great-quality groceries delivered, irrespective of how and where they choose to shop. It also enables the retailer to drive higher efficiency in its picking operations and generate higher additional Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) while showcasing its operational expertise.
“This model is a win-win,” he notes. “It allows us to maximize the efficiency of our existing infrastructure while giving other businesses access to best-in-class fulfillment solutions.”
Overcoming Challenges in a Competitive Market
The path to innovation could be smoother. For Sharath Chandra Edupuganti, the COVID-19 pandemic presented both a challenge and an opportunity. As online grocery sales surged, the company had to scale its e-commerce operations rapidly. “The pandemic forced us to think on our feet,” he recalls. “We were building and scaling in real-time while ensuring our customers and associates remained safe.”
Sharath Chandra Edupuganti and his team met the immediate demand through strategic decision-making and agile development and laid the groundwork for long-term growth. His company then became a leader in adapting to unprecedented circumstances by optimizing workflows and integrating analytics.
Shaping the Future of Grocery E-commerce
Over the next year, Edupuganti sees immense potential in integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and predictive analytics. “The future of grocery e-commerce lies in personalization,” he predicts. “Customers want an experience that feels tailored to their needs, whether that’s through smarter recommendations or faster delivery options.”
He is also committed to sustainability, exploring reducing waste and improving energy efficiency. “Technology isn’t just about solving today’s problems. It’s about building sustainable solutions for the future,” he adds.
As grocery e-commerce continues to evolve, Sharath Chandra Edupuganti is leading the way for a more efficient and customer-centric industry. Through his innovative solutions and forward-thinking leadership, Edupuganti has transformed the companies’ operations and set a new standard for fulfillment excellence.
“The work we do is about more than just technology,” Sharath Chandra Edupuganti reflects. “It’s about connecting people, customers and associates alike, in ways that make their lives easier. That’s what keeps me motivated every day.”
Photo by Sharath Chandra Edupuganti
