Google LLC said today it’s partnering with the grocery and pharmacy firm Albertsons Companies Inc. to try to make food shopping easier and more convenient.

Yet another showcase for Google Cloud’s capabilities, the partnership will make use of a wide gamut of its technologies. For example, under the multiyear partnership, the companies will use Google Maps and Google Search to create new “shoppable maps” for consumers that offer various “dynamic hyperlocal features.”

In addition, Albertsons is planning to create a new predictive grocery list building service for the 20 shopping brands it owns, including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen and Carrs. That service will combine several of Google Cloud’s artificial intelligence services, including Vision AI and Recommendations AI, with tools such as its Business Messages service to help shoppers quickly create a shopping list based on their personal needs.

The companies will also innovate on “AI-powered conversational commerce,” the company said, and make it easier for people to shop with the Google Pay payments platform.

“In bringing together Google’s technology expertise with our commitment to customer-centric innovation, we’re providing our customers with a superior shopping experience no matter how they choose to shop with us,” said Chris Rupp, Albertsons’ executive vice president and chief customer and digital officer.

In another initiative, Google said it will provide information about online ordering from Albertsons’ stores directly within the Google Maps interface. Shoppers will be able to navigate directly from the Maps app to a local store’s website, select the groceries they need and have them delivered to their home. That feature will be made available later in the year.

Today’s news builds on an earlier partnership around COVID-19 that Albertsons and Google announced earlier this month. Under that initiative, Albertsons is using Business Messages to connect people to pharmacies such as Safeway, Jewel-Osco, Vons, Albertsons, Acme, Shaw’s and Tom Thumb. People can use the service to obtain up to date information about vaccine eligibility, availability, appointment booking and more.

“Albertsons Companies is leading the way in bringing innovative technologies to the grocery store aisle,” said Carrie Tharp, vice president of retail and consumer at Google Cloud.

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