Albertsons tests automated, contact-free grocery pickup

Albertsons has launched an automated, contactless grocery pickup kiosk at a Jewel-Osco store in Chicago. The pilot of the automated, temperature-controlled kiosk is through a partnership with the kiosk producer Cleveron out of Estonia.

The test bolsters Albertsons growing e-commerce business. Consumers order groceries online and select two-hour time slots for pick up. Once at the kiosk, they scan a code on their mobile phone to have the groceries robotically delivered to the front of the kiosk for pickup. 

The kiosk has a regular-temperature zone and a deep-freeze zone, where the automated operations source the orders from.

A second kiosk is expected to launch in the Bay Area at a Safeway. “We are supercharging our digital and omnichannel offerings to serve customers however they want, whenever they want,” said Chris Rupp, Albertsons executive vice president and chief customer and digital officer at Albertsons. “This innovative and contactless pickup kiosk makes it even easier for customers to shop with us in a way that is convenient for them.”

The kiosk comes on the heels of Albertsons also announcing that it will cease operating its own grocery delivery service in select locations, opting for third-party services instead. The move also joins other recent solutions like pickup lockers installed at Jewel-Osco stores, and delivery and drive up services.

“Cleveron’s pickup solutions are created to save time and offer convenience for everyone. The customers can drive up to the pickup kiosk, scan the code, grab their groceries and go. It is as quick and easy as that,” explained the CEO of Cleveron, Arno Kütt. “We are honored that Albertsons Cos. has selected our technology in their drive to offer the best experience for their customers.”