Kroger Launches AI Shopping Assistant Across Digital Platforms
Kroger has released an AI shopping assistant designed for meal planning and product selection. The tool is currently operational across the full Kroger family of companies' websites and mobile applications.
Artificial intelligence enables the digital assistant to provide recipe recommendations, product information and item locations. According to Yael Cosset, executive vice president and chief digital officer at Kroger, the company is utilizing this technology to assist with shopping and planning functions.
The AI shopping assistant includes several specific functionalities:
- Generates weekly meal plans and recipes based on user-defined budgets and dietary requirements.
- Processes images of handwritten lists or digital URLs to identify products and add them to a digital shopping cart.
- Provides product suggestions and shopping lists for specific occasions.
KPM Integrates Product Listing Ads into AI Assistant
Kroger Precision Marketing (KPM), the grocery giant's retailer media network, is expanding its product listing ads (PLA) to include placements within the AI shopping assistant. Sponsored content from existing Search & Browse PLA campaigns will be displayed when the system determines a product is relevant to a user's request.
This update provides an additional channel for advertisers to reach shoppers during the meal planning process, according to Nick Hamilton, senior VP at KPM. The integration includes the following features for brands:
- Automatic Integration: PLAs automatically appear within AI assistant results for active Search & Browse PLA ad groups, with no additional setup or bidding changes required.
- Performance Tracking: Advertisers can use KPM’s report builder to review performance metrics specifically for Shopping Assistant inventory, separate from other search placements.
