Albertsons uses Google Cloud for new supply chain tool

Albertsons Companies Inc. will deploy a computer vision tool at its distribution centers to help quality inspectors evaluate fresh produce before it ships to stores, it announced on May 13.

The grocer said its patent-pending Intelligent Quality Control tool uses artificial intelligence (AI) to assist inspectors, and is already active in some distribution centers. Albertsons built the tool internally with support from Google Cloud. Albertsons is No.

17 in the Top 2000, Digital Commerce 360’s database ranking of North America’s leading retailers by annual online sales. It operates 2,244 retail stores and 22 distribution centers across the United States. How the Albertsons AI tool works According to Albertsons, quality inspectors feed an image of produce into the tool.

Then, it uses Google Cloud’s Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform to evaluate the produce against Albertson’s internal quality standards. The tool provides a “highly accurate, consistent rating and recommendation” to the inspector for approval, Albertsons said in its press release.

So far, the tool is focused on strawberries and green grapes, with plans to expand to the entire berry section and implement at distribution centers across the country.

“Early results show it’s been incredibly helpful in increasing the consistency of quality rating which is crucial for highly perishable products such as fruits and vegetables,” Evan Rainwater, chief supply chain officer for Albertsons, said in a written statement.

Albertsons noted that the AI tool has led to more uniform evaluations with less variation across individual inspectors while also making the inspection process move more quickly. The grocer is also able to collect more data from the inspections, which it can use in continued quality analysis and improvement, it said.

Albertsons’ other AI investments The produce quality tool is the most recent addition in Albertsons’ AI portfolio. “This is just the latest advancement in how we are using AI within our multi-billion-dollar supply chain to improve operational efficiencies, improve product quality and ultimately enhance customer satisfaction,” Rainwater said.

Albertsons has worked with Google Cloud before on AI tools. In September 2025, the grocer debuted a conversational AI agent with Google Cloud’s Vertex AI platform. The agent was implemented to drive personalization and streamline operations, Albertsons said at the time.

Then in December, Albertsons announced an AI shopping assistant designed to guide customers through planning and making purchases across the Safeway, Vons and Jewel-Osco websites, building on the Google Cloud technology. The assistant could build carts based on recipes and make meal suggestions based on a consumer’s pantry, Albertsons said.

“This collaboration with Albertsons Cos. demonstrates the transformative power of applying advanced AI, like Vision AI and Gemini, to the core of the supply chain,” Jose Gomes, vice president of retail and consumer packaged goods at Google Cloud, said in a released statement. Do you rank in our databases?

Submit your data and we’ll see where you fit in our next ranking update. Sign up Stay on top of the latest developments in the online retail industry. Sign up for a complimentary subscription to Digital Commerce 360 Retail News. Follow us on LinkedIn, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and YouTube.

Be the first to know when Digital Commerce 360 publishes news content. Favorite