AI

Albertsons expands AI-powered grocery

Image: Albertsons

August 19, 2026

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Albertsons Companies is expanding AI-powered grocery shopping with a plugin that lets shoppers discover new products, reorder weekly lists and build carts from Safeway in ChatGPT.

It also promotes faster, easy and more intuitive grocery shopping, according to a press release.

"We are on a mission to power our customers at every touch point with AI to deliver a seamless shopping experience that's faster, easier and more enjoyable," Jill Pavlovich, SVP of digital customer experience for Albertsons Cos., said in the release. "Research tells us that consumers are increasingly interested in using AI to help with grocery shopping. By enabling our plugin in ChatGPT, we are making grocery shopping as simple as having a conversation by meeting our customers when and how they choose to shop. This is another practical way we are using AI to reduce friction and make everyday shopping easier."

Using ChatGPT, shoppers can activate the Safeway plugin and ask for what they need in natural language, whether they are looking to reorder their favorites, find new products, discover items on sale or shop from a recipe, photo or digital list.

The experience is designed to translate customer requests and preferences into a tailored shopping experience by connecting with relevant Safeway products, cart and checkout services.

Customers remain in control of their cart and purchasing decisions and can review or modify items before completing checkout. Users will be redirected to the Safeway platform to check out.

How it works

Open ChatGPT, click on "Plugins" in the ChatGPT sidebar and search "Safeway." Select the plugin and connect it directly. Users will be prompted to sign in to their Safeway account.
Start a new prompt and type "@Safeway" into any ChatGPT conversation. ChatGPT will automatically surface the plugin.
Start with a grocery request, such as "Reorder my weekly shopping list," "Help me plan a quick pasta dinner for four" or "What ingredients should I add to my omelet?" ChatGPT will help customers discover products based on their requests and preferences, surface relevant Safeway options and assist customers in adding selected items to their cart.
Customers can review their cart and make changes. They will then be directed to check out on the Safeway platform. Customers remain in control throughout the experience and can review, compare, modify or remove suggested products before completing any purchase.
The experience is designed to support common grocery missions including meal planning, list building, product discovery, reordering and finding relevant savings.

Albertsons operates 2,240 retail stores with 1,708 in-store pharmacies, 408 associated fuel centers, 22 dedicated distribution centers and 19 manufacturing facilities.