Supply Chain and Fulfillment
Moving goods from supplier to shopper — warehouse robotics, last-mile delivery, AI planning and replenishment, store-based micro-fulfillment, cold chain, and returns and circular logistics.
What this pillar covers
CEP backs technology companies that help retailers move goods from supplier to shopper, from warehouse and store automation to last-mile delivery, cold chain and circular logistics, along with AI forecasting and replenishment tools whose recommendations planners review and approve. eMarketer values the global last-mile delivery market at about $201 billion in 2025, projected to grow about 12% a year through 2029, and puts the last mile at 53% of total shipping costs. A startup proves its savings in one building or delivery zone, then extends across the retailer's network.
Where we look
The kinds of companies and infrastructure CEP focuses on here include:
- Warehouse robotics and goods-to-person systems
- Micro-fulfillment inside or beside stores for same-day orders
- Last-mile routing software, drones and autonomous delivery
- AI forecasting, replenishment and multi-origin sourcing tools
- Cold-chain technology for fresh food and pharmacy
- Returns, resale and circular logistics technology
Retailers are adding automation to distribution centers and stores, and using AI to plan inventory with a person approving each decision. A product proves its unit economics in one building or one delivery zone, connects to the retailer's warehouse and planning systems, then rolls out across the network.
Our other investment areas.
Shopping Experiences
Where shoppers find and buy — AI shopping assistants and agentic checkout, social and live commerce, virtual try-on and connected stores, and the commerce platforms, payments and loyalty that tie them together.
Read moreMerchandising and Store Operations
The operating layer of the store — where merchant judgment meets shelf execution: inventory and merchandising intelligence, autonomous checkout, smart shelves, in-store robotics and staff allocation.
Read moreRetail Media and Marketing
The monetization layer on retailer first-party data — AI-bought and agent-traded advertising, in-store and omni-store media, creator campaigns, and closed-loop measurement.
Read moreCulinary and Foodservice
Technology for restaurant and foodservice operators — ordering and point of sale, kitchen automation and robotics, back-of-house software, guest-facing AI, and menu and nutrition tools.
Read moreRetail Health Tech
The technology layer of retail health — pharmacy automation, script fulfillment, diagnostics, and the data infrastructure behind consumer health at retail.
Read more