Loblaw announces another big change for shoppers in Canada

Loblaw has announced another big change for shoppers in Canada.

The company is continuing to bring in artificial intelligence features for customers, announcing Thursday that soon shoppers will be able to use Google’s AI features to shop for health, beauty and apparel products.

The announcement comes one week after Loblaw launched its PC Express app within ChatGPT, providing an easy and fast way to shop for groceries.

Loblaw said that with its collaboration with Google, customers will be able to buy health, beauty and apparel products directly through AI mode in Google Search and via Google Gemini.

“Loblaw is the first large retailer to make products available for purchase directly through Google’s AI-mode in Canada, and it is also a glimpse into the future of agentic commerce,” a press release said.

“This is another step forward for Loblaw as it seeks to redefine its customer shopping journey by enabling Canadians to connect their AI-led discovery online to the products they crave. From simplifying seasonal shopping to enhancing personal beauty routines, simple chats will help make shopping even faster and easier.”

In an example provided by Loblaw, a customer asks the AI platform, “How do I get ‘glass skin’ without a 12-step routine?’

The AI platform responds with two product suggestions from Shoppers Drug Mart — which is owned by Loblaw — along with an explanation. It also gives the customer the option to purchase the products.

“This type of commerce stream is made possible thanks to Google’s conversational AI platforms, as well as through the emergence of a new Universal Commerce Protocol – an open, standardized way for different commerce systems and AI agents to talk to one another that is coming on stream in Canada,” Loblaw said.

“UCP helps to safely and securely facilitate shopping, booking, and payments across different channels.”

It’s not clear when exactly the feature will launch. The previously mentioned PC Express app in ChatGPT is already active for grocery shopping.

Loblaw said it also uses AI within its business and is expanding its use.

Lead image via Google Street View