Albertsons Companies and Google have entered into a multi-year partnership to make shopping easier and more convenient for millions of customers nationwide. The partnership brings together the power of Albertsons Cos.’ broad reach with Google’s capabilities in customer-centric innovation.
The two companies have been collaborating behind the scenes for the past year and, as part of the partnership announcement today, are debuting several new enhancements. Albertsons Cos. has engaged with numerous teams at Google, integrating with Google Search and Maps to help shoppers more easily find what they need, making it simpler to shop with Google Pay and infusing Google Cloud AI technologies such as Vision AI, Recommendations AI and Business Messages into operations to create the world’s most predictive grocery engine.
Planned innovations under this partnership include:
- Shoppable maps with dynamic hyperlocal features;
- AI-powered conversational commerce; and
- Predictive grocery list building.
The partnership is making it easier for customers to get groceries for pickup and delivery, by providing helpful information about online ordering from many Albertsons Cos.’ stores directly within mobile search. This functionality is coming to Google Maps later this year.
“Albertsons Cos. is continuing to transform into a modern retailer fit for the future, and we are leading the industry forward by providing the easiest and most exciting shopping experience for our customers,” said Chris Rupp, EVP and chief customer and digital officer at Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. “In bringing together Google’s technology expertise with our commitment to customer-centric innovation, we’re providing our customers with a superior shopping experience no matter how they choose to shop with us.”
Google’s partnership with Albertsons Cos. will build on projects already implemented to improve the customer experience. For example, earlier this month, Albertsons announced its use of Business Messages to help people get up-to-date information about COVID-19 vaccines at Albertsons Cos. pharmacies.
“Albertsons Companies is leading the way in bringing innovative technologies to the grocery store digital and physical aisle,” says Carrie Tharp, VP of retail and consumer for Google Cloud. “We’re proud to partner with Albertsons Companies to streamline processes and power innovative shopping experiences for customers. The unique strategic and technical collaboration at the heart of the Google and Albertsons partnership sets the stage for sustained post-pandemic transformation and momentum that will become clear to customers in both the near- and long-term.”
Albertsons Cos. is a leading food and drug retailer in the United States. The company operates stores across 34 states and the District of Columbia under 20 banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen and Carrs.
