BOISE, Idaho  — Albertsons Cos. said Tuesday that it is working with Google to offer an enhanced omnichannel shopping experience for its customers.

The retailer said it is introducing several enhancements that will make the shopping easier and more efficient, including:

• Integrating with Google Search and Maps to help shoppers more easily find what they need.
• Making it easier to shop with Google Pay,
• Infusing Google Cloud AI technologies such as Vision AI, Recommendations AI, and Business Messages into its operations to create the world’s most predictive grocery engine.

“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, executive vice president and chief customer and digital Officer at 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.”

Albertsons Cos. and Google have been collaborating behind the scenes for the past year, and are working on a number of planned innovations that include shoppable maps with dynamic hyperlocal features, AI-powered conversational commerce and predictive grocery list building.

The companies also aim to make it even 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.

The partnership will build on projects that are already underway. 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, 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.”