BoiseDev reports that Albertsons is working with self-driving vehicle company Waymo to test "autonomous grocery delivery early next year in San Francisco, involving Albertsons’ Safeway stores. A single store test will be followed by a broader rollout in the market, the story says.
Some context from the story:
"It’s the latest project for Albertsons, with announcements coming fast and furious. BoiseDev has reported on scores of projects, including an AI-powered grocery cart, app-based checkout, membership program, robotic delivery carts, automated grocery pickup kiosks, robotic aisle scanners, small fulfillment warehouses, and more.
"The company has trialed most of the experiments either in the Boise market or in the area surrounding its secondary headquarters in Pleasanton, California. It’s been working to make major adjustments in recent years as consumer behavioral habits have changed. Amazon, Inc. has disrupted most retail segments but for the most part, has not cracked grocery delivery. Albertsons, along with traditional competitors like Kroger and Walmart have amped up activities over the last five to ten years in an effort to keep their businesses intact."
- KC's View:
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I love that list
"…an AI-powered grocery cart, app-based checkout, membership program, robotic delivery carts, automated grocery pickup kiosks, robotic aisle scanners, small fulfillment warehouses, and more."
I'll betcha the "more" could be even more interesting and impactful on the company's future.
