Kroger partners with NVIDIA to enhance logistics, freshness, store experience

The Kroger Co. is boosting its technology prowess through a strategic partnership with computing company NVIDIA.

First covered by Store Brands’ sister publication Progressive Grocer, the collaboration will allow America’s largest grocery company to utilize NVIDIA’s AI-powered applications and services to fundamentally change the way consumers shop for the chain’s private label items. The two companies plan to open a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence lab and demonstration center within Kroger’s headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, which will be used to further the grocer’s shipping logistics, freshness initiatives and store experience. 

The partnership with NVIDIA follows Kroger’s continuing expansion of its fulfillment centers, which feature technology from the Ocado Group.

“Our collaboration with NVIDIA supports Kroger’s ‘Fresh for Everyone’ commitment,” said Wesley Rhodes, VP of technology transformation and research and development at Kroger. “We look forward to learning more about how AI and data analytics will further our journey to provide our customers with anything, anytime, anywhere.” 

NVIDIA’s enterprise software suite will enable Kroger to visualize virtual models, or digital twins, that accurately reflect store layouts and other operations in order to help increase store efficiency, while also exploring logistics optimizations to ensure freshness from farm to plate during last-mile delivery. Computer vision and analytics will also allow the grocer to identify the early indicators that can lead to food spoilage. 

“NVIDIA and Kroger’s collaboration on AI and digital twins will further expand Kroger’s digital technology leadership,” said Azita Martin, VP and general manager of retail at Santa Clara, Calif.-based NVIDIA. “Kroger already is delivering excellent customer experiences in stores and providing fast home delivery. With NVIDIA AI, shoppers gain more personalized experiences in physical stores and online.”

Kroger serves 60 million households annually nationwide through a digital shopping experience, and almost 2,800 retail food stores under a variety of banner names including Ralphs, King Soopers, Food 4 Less, Mariano’s and more.