Microsoft AI boosts efficiency at Sainsbury’s
- May 27, 2024
- Steve Rogerson
Microsoft is using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the shopping experience at UK supermarket chain Sainsbury’s.
The five-year deal will put AI in the hands of shop assistants, create more efficient and more engaging stores and online shopping, and help improve customer satisfaction and returns for shareholders.
Microsoft’s AI and machine-learning capabilities will be combined with Sainsbury’s datasets to help accelerate the retailer’s recently announced Next Level Sainsbury’s strategy.
The partnership aims to improve store operations, drive efficiencies for staff, and provide shoppers with more efficient and effective service, delivering stronger returns for shareholders under Sainsbury’s Save and Invest to Win programme.
By harnessing Microsoft’s products and engineering capabilities, Sainsbury’s wants to put the power of AI in the hands of store assistants and make shopping more engaging and more convenient for its millions of customers across the UK, both online and in store.
This will be supported by upskilling programmes for Sainsbury’s staff, helping them learn and grow in the new AI-driven economy.
Sainsbury’s will use Microsoft’s services to transform across three core areas:
- Enhanced shopper experiences: Sainsbury’s will use generative AI to create a more interactive online shopping experience and improve customers’ search experience, making shopping more efficient and engaging.
- Empowered store assistants: Shop assistants will have real-time data and insights for key processes, such as smarter shelf replenishment processes. Using AI to pull together multiple data inputs, such as shelf edge cameras, staff will be guided to the shelves that need filling, saving time as well as ensuring sales opportunities aren’t missed. The assistants will have access to AI-guided support to address shopper and staff queries effectively in the moment, improving efficiency.
- Data built on smart cloud: Sainsbury’s data assets combined with Microsoft 365 collaboration tools, generative AI and machine-learning capabilities should help Sainsbury’s continue driving returns through its Save and Invest to Win programme, transforming operations, driving better decision making and running a more efficient business. This will be delivered through Microsoft Azure as part of Sainsbury’s cloud ecosystem, reducing time to market for new services and innovations.
“Our collaboration with Microsoft will accelerate our ambition to become the UK’s leading AI-enabled grocer,” said Clodagh Moriarty, chief technology officer at Sainsbury’s (www.sainsburys.co.uk). “It’s one of the key ways we’re investing in transforming our capabilities over the next three years, enabling us to take another big leap forward in efficiency and productivity, continue to provide leading customer service, and deliver returns for our shareholders.”
Clare Barclay, CEO of Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) in the UK, added: “Today, Sainsbury’s has laid out a bold vision that puts AI at the heart of its business, accelerating the development of new services, which will enhance and transform the customer and colleague experience. We are delighted to be working with Sainsbury’s to power the next generation of retail.”