Albertsons explores AI-powered shopping with Google

Albertsons has found a partner in Google.

The two have been working together over the past year to introduce new digital shopping experiences including shoppable maps with hyperlocal connectivity, AI-powered conversational commerce and a predictive grocery list that’s built through a connection with Google Cloud. 

“By combining the grocery shopping ecosystem of Albertsons and the AI, technology and platforms of Google, we can build disruptive grocery shopping experiences at an unprecedented scale,” said Chris Rupp, EVP, chief customer and digital officer of Albertsons.

Rupp spoke with sister publication Progressive Grocer — both Store Brands and the publication are owned by EnsembleIQ.

“Our partnership launched in April 2020 with a virtual Innovation Day in which hundreds of ideas were distilled into a mission to redefine how people shop. Since then, we have been experimenting with new experiences and shopping journeys that have begun to make an impact,” Rupp said.

The technology services developed between the two companies will add on to Albertsons already growing digital enhancements such as its curbside pickup and delivery, using maps to make those services even easier to shop, and the technology will explore how to make Albertsons’ mobile and online shopping even smarter through machine learning.

“We continue to partner with numerous teams at Google to combine the power of AI with grocery. The areas that we believe to be most impactful for our customers is creating a more convenient shopping experience and ensuring outstanding fulfillment accuracy. We are focused on driving innovation in these areas with Google.”

Read the full story at Progressive Grocer.