Dive Brief:
- Albertsons Companies launched an agentic AI shopping assistant on websites across the Albertsons brand portfolio, including Albertsons, Safeway and Vons, the grocery company announced Wednesday. The tool will roll out to brand apps in early 2026.
- The AI assistant can generate meal plans and shopping lists, reorder frequent purchases, find recipes based on what users already have in their homes, import recipes from images, and curate product ideas based on themes, among other features.
- “Our goal at Albertsons Companies is to make our customers’ lives easier, and by implementing AI-powered features across the customer journey from discovery to purchase, we are delivering an experience that’s faster, easier and more enjoyable,” Jill Pavlovich, SVP of digital customer experience at Albertsons, said in a prepared statement.
Dive Insight:
Albertsons’ AI assistant builds on the grocery company’s strategy to bolster its e-commerce operations and experience.
The grocer launched the Ask AI feature launched earlier in the year. Ask AI uses Google Could’s Conversational Commerce agent and was designed to simplify product discovery and personalize recommendations.
The assistant aims to improve the experience by completing shopping tasks on the customer’s behalf. Albertsons plans to add additional features in the future, including budget optimization, in-store aisle location and voice integration.
“We are laser-focused on using AI as part of our strategy to meet customers when and how they choose to shop, ultimately driving customer growth and engagement through digital connection,” Pavlovich said.
AI is just one part of Albertsons’ CX strategy. In September, the company added a feature to its Albertsons for U loyalty program that lets members earn cash back when they book travel, including airfare, hotel stays, car rentals and vacation packages.
Albertsons’ ultimate goal is to combine experience initiatives with a promotional strategy to drive greater frequency from its customers, according to CEO Susan Morris on an October earnings call. The effort also involves implementing AI across the business, including in data analysis and customer service.
