Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept lurking in labs — it’s actively transforming the grocery shopping experience for customers and store employees alike, reshaping how we buy, sell, and even think about food.
AI’s Explosive Growth in Grocery The grocery sector is experiencing a remarkable surge in AI adoption, with implementation expected to grow by 400% by the end of 2025. This rapid expansion is driven by grocers’ need to streamline operations, personalize shopping, and reduce waste in a tight-margin industry.
Personalized Shopping Gets a Friendly Upgrade Imagine walking into a store where the shelves and displays adapt to your moods and preferences. That’s the promise of mood-based, hyper-personalized AI shopping — a trend gaining traction in 2025. AI curates product recommendations, helps customers compare prices, and even answers specific product questions, making shopping quicker and more enjoyable.
U.S. shoppers’ interest in AI shopping assistants has surged by more than 223% since 2023, with many trusting AI to save time on everyday purchases like groceries and household essentials. Although shoppers remain cautious about bias in recommendations, over half say trusting AI helps them shop more efficiently.
Smart Shelves and Data-Driven Efficiency Carrefour, a leading global grocery chain, is pioneering the use of AI-driven shelving technology. These shelves not only track inventory in real time but interact with staff through mobile apps that point out stock shortages or pricing errors. This innovation makes stores more user-friendly for customers and empowers employees to focus on solving issues promptly.
This data-driven approach adds significant operating margin to stores, a huge win in an industry where every percentage point counts.
Tackling Food Waste with AI Precision One standout company, Afresh, is revolutionizing grocery store perimeters — from fresh produce to meat and seafood — by using AI to dramatically cut food waste and boost sales.
Afresh’s platform analyzes vast amounts of fresh product data to forecast demand accurately and predict perishability, enabling grocers to stock just the right amount and reduce spoilage.
With grocery retailers like Albertsons and Meijer on board, Afresh’s technology lowers product shrinkage by 25% on average and lifts sales by around 3%, proving that AI can deliver both environmental benefits and healthier store margins.
Real-World Impact: AI Shopping Assistants AI shopping assistants extend beyond just recommending products. They help with product comparisons, deal hunting, and general product knowledge. For many shoppers, this means less guesswork and more informed decisions.
Interestingly, one in four shoppers has reported spending more than planned after receiving AI recommendations, while only 14% have regretted or returned purchases driven by AI. This reflects a level of trust building around AI-driven shopping.
Retail giants like Amazon, Google, and Walmart are leading the deployment of these AI assistants, leveraging their massive data ecosystems to refine the shopping experience.
The Road Ahead for Grocery and Retail AI The retail industry overall views AI as a critical growth driver heading into the future. Investments in AI are highest in grocery, followed by home goods, reflecting the intense competition and low margins in these sectors.
Experts project a $9.2 trillion economic impact from AI in retail by 2029, with grocery stores among the biggest beneficiaries.
In Summary
- AI is rapidly scaling in grocery stores with applications from personalized shopping to inventory management.
- Shoppers are warming up to AI assistants, valuing time saved and personalized guidance.
- Smart shelves and employee apps are making stores more efficient and responsive.
- Companies like Afresh harness AI to reduce food waste, improving profitability and sustainability.
References:
- https://www.supermarketnews.com/grocery-technology/use-of-ai-in-grocery-stores-to-grow-400-by-2025
- https://chainstoreage.com/exclusive-consumer-comfort-interest-ai-shopping-assistant-grows
- https://glance.com/us/blogs/glanceai/ai-shopping/ai-trends-in-retail
- https://www.pymnts.com/artificial-intelligence-2/2025/how-ai-driven-shelves-and-data-are-changing-carrefours-in-store-experience/
- https://www.supermarketnews.com/grocery-technology/how-afresh-is-revolutionizing-grocery-perimeters-with-ai
- https://www.jotform.com/ai/agents/ai-executive-assistant/
- https://www.tonydonofrio.com/blog/retail/retail-reimagined-the-impact-of-ai-and-its-leading-innovators.html
- https://www.salesforce.com/blog/financial-services-it/
