Albertsons leans into AI for fresh-focused strategy
Albertsons leans into AI for fresh-focused strategy
Albertsons Cos. stores, including Safeway, Albertsons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Vons and ACME, will use Afresh's fresh replenishment solution for everything from broccoli to cakes, flank steak and deli self-service bars.
This is an expanded partnership for the two companies, which already worked together in various departments. Afresh's technology applies patent-pending AI and data modeling to align Albertsons Cos.' ordering, inventory and demand understanding for thousands of prepped, produced and transformed perishable items — addressing the core data challenge of fresh to match demand with what is ordered or sold.
This deployment marks a significant milestone in the long-standing partnership between Afresh and Albertsons Cos., which began in 2022. The completion of this rollout demonstrates Afresh's technical excellence and trusted leadership in fresh technology, and its role as a key partner in powering the digital transformation of Albertsons Cos.' fresh operations.
"Our partnership with Afresh has been a true game-changer in modernizing our fresh operations," said Michelle Larson, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer for Albertsons Cos. "This technology has allowed us to provide our customers with an even better shopping experience while empowering our store teams to keep customer favorites in stock and ensure that we are offering the best quality, freshest products to our communities."
Afresh helps retailers address the unique challenges of each fresh department and translate them into tangible business results. For produce, random-weight items such as bananas or melons make ordering produce notoriously tricky due to unreliable inventory data and high perishability. Solving this problem has been central to Afresh's success. In Albertsons Cos.' produce departments, Afresh continues to optimize efficiency, reduce waste and ensure shelves are stocked with the highest-quality produce — improving both sales and customer satisfaction.
In addition to in-store fresh departments, Albertsons Cos. went live last year with Afresh's DC Forecast across all fresh distribution centers. Buyers now receive daily demand forecasts to aid in their fresh decision-making and to complement the Fresh Replenishment solution running in every store department. Together, these tools extend purpose-built fresh intelligence across the supply chain, enhancing efficiency between suppliers and stores.
"Our collaboration with Albertsons Cos. has been foundational to our growth," said Matt Schwartz, CEO and co-founder of Afresh. "The trust and partnership we have built has allowed us to deliver a comprehensive, department-by-department solution that is truly a first for the industry. This scaled rollout is a testament to Albertsons Cos.' vision of a modern, sustainable grocery future, with Afresh as the engine of their fresh operations."
