Albertsons Companies announced on December 3, 2025 that it has launched an AI‑powered shopping assistant on the websites of all 22 of its banner brands, including Safeway, Vons, and Jewel‑Osco. The assistant, built on OpenAI models, is designed to reduce the average shopping time from 46 minutes to as little as four minutes by digitizing recipes, building smarter baskets, and engaging in two‑way conversations with customers.
The launch is part of Albertsons’ broader digital transformation strategy, which has already driven a 23% year‑over‑year increase in digital sales and a 2.2% rise in identical sales. By automating routine tasks and providing personalized recommendations, the assistant is expected to accelerate digital adoption and deepen customer engagement across the company’s multi‑brand portfolio.
Management explained that the initiative is a response to intensifying competition from retailers such as Walmart and Target, who are also investing heavily in conversational AI. “We are laser‑focused on using AI to meet customers where they are and how they choose to shop,” said Jill Pavlovich, SVP of Digital Customer Experience. “The assistant is an exciting step that will make grocery shopping faster, easier, and more enjoyable.”
Prior to this launch, Albertsons introduced the “Ask AI” tool earlier in 2025, which leveraged Google Cloud’s Vertex AI platform and Gemini models. The earlier tool helped the company capture early digital engagement, and its success informed the design of the new assistant. The company’s digital sales growth of 23% YoY reflects the cumulative impact of these initiatives.
In the competitive landscape, the assistant positions Albertsons alongside Walmart’s Sparky and Target’s Gift Finder, but it differentiates itself by offering deeper integration across 22 banner sites and a broader set of conversational features, such as real‑time recipe digitization and basket optimization. This breadth is expected to give Albertsons a competitive edge in the agentic commerce space.
Looking ahead, Albertsons plans to roll the assistant into its mobile apps in early 2026, adding features such as budget optimization, in‑store aisle navigation, and voice integration. The company’s leadership views these enhancements as key to sustaining momentum in digital sales and improving operational efficiency.
The assistant is expected to drive customer growth and engagement, but the company acknowledges that the expansion of digital channels will also increase delivery and handling costs, which have contributed to a slight compression in gross margin. By balancing these headwinds with the benefits of higher digital sales, Albertsons aims to maintain profitability while continuing to invest in AI and customer experience.
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