Tesco plans to utilise AI technology to enhance customer shopping experiences.
- The supermarket aims to provide better value deals by nudging customers to hold off purchases for upcoming discounts.
- AI technology will also suggest healthier alternatives based on customers’ shopping habits.
- Surplus food will be transformed into animal feed as part of waste reduction efforts.
- Tesco’s new AI-driven approach aligns with broader goals of reducing food waste and promoting health.
In a forward-thinking move, Tesco, led by CEO Ken Murphy, is exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to tailor shopping experiences for its customers. This innovative step is intended to help shoppers make more informed choices by suggesting when to buy products for better deals and recommending healthier alternatives.
At a recent industry event, Murphy elaborated on Tesco’s plans, highlighting the potential of AI to analyse Clubcard data. He articulated that the technology could prompt consumers to wait for impending sales, saying, “It can start nudging you to say if you wait another week to buy this, this is coming on deal.” Such insights are expected to enhance customer savings and shopping satisfaction significantly.
Murphy also underscored the role of AI in promoting healthier living. The AI system, he explained, might alert customers whose purchases consistently exceed recommended sodium levels. “I would recommend you substitute this, this and this for lower sodium products to improve your heart health,” he stated. This approach not only aids in personal health management but also aligns with public health objectives.
Furthermore, in an ambitious bid to curtail food waste, Tesco plans to convert surplus food into animal feed. The company is set to inaugurate a facility capable of processing 1,000 tonnes of such surplus each week. This move reinforces Tesco’s commitment to sustainability and resource optimisation, reflecting broader industry trends towards environmentally conscious operations.
Tesco’s integration of AI exemplifies a strategic effort to blend technological innovation with practical consumer benefits, setting a precedent for future retail practices.
