Dive Brief:
- Schnuck Markets has two new digital tools available for customers. One is its previously announced artificial intelligence-powered shopping assistant on its app and website, and the second is an updated weekly ad, according to a Wednesday press release.
- Shoppers can ask the AI tool to build a shopping list, suggest meal ideas using ingredients the customer already has and offer personalized nutritional guidance.
- The grocer’s new fully interactive weekly ad lets people clip digital coupons directly from the ad, add items to their shopping list or online cart and view product details.
Dive Insight:
The launch of the AI tool, which Schnucks developed in partnership with VitalityIP, an AI-powered digital nutrition guidance and health data platform, comes just a few weeks after the grocer unveiled its development. The agent, which can use weekly deals and recommended products to help users build their shopping lists, is powered by an intelligence layer built from more than 6 billion lines of shopping, health and nutrition data.
Schnucks positioned the agent as a tool that will help the grocer build stronger relationships with its customers by better meeting their needs — whether for nutrition, inspiration or budget management.
“It’s not a search bar — it will be a personalized digital shopping assistant that understands Schnucks aisles, sales, promotions, customers' lifestyles, and much, much more,” Schnucks Chief Operating Officer Ted Schnuck said in a statement.
With the updated weekly ad, customers can view sale items in one place, search and filter for specific products, activate deals on qualifying items and view items available for different shopping methods such as in-store, delivery and pickup. Customers who prefer the traditional version of the ad can toggle between interactive and “classic” modes.
Schnucks said it plans to continue providing printed copies of both the current and next week’s ads at all of its stores.
Schnucks runs 112 stores across Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.
