Carrefour and Google to partner in online shopping initiative
In this article (5)
Carrefour and Google have formed a strategic partnership to develop innovative online shopping solutions.
The two companies say Google will contribute its technology and skills in AI, cloud computing and new consumer shopping interfaces like the Google Assistant, while Carrefour will bring its product expertise and know-how in logistics and sales.
The partnership will focus on three initiatives: the availability of Carrefour on a new Google shopping website and Google Assistant in France, the creation of a Carrefour-Google innovation lab and the acceleration of Carrefour Group’s digitalisation.
“The common objective of this partnership is to bring together the expertise of both companies to offer consumers new and innovative commerce experiences in France, whether that’s in a store, online, on smartphones, or with voice,” the two companies said in a statement.
New buying experience
The cooperation will see “a new buying experience from Carrefour across Google platforms” including Google Assistant, Google Home and a new Google Shopping website in France, expanding Carrefour’s footprint in the digital realm.
“The common goal of both companies is to provide users with simplified and intuitive buying experiences. By early next year, users in France will be able to shop for groceries through a variety of channels including on Google Home, via the Google Assistant on their mobile phone, or on the web through the new Google shopping destination in France. Items can be delivered to their homes or made available for pick up in-store.”
“This alliance makes Carrefour the first partner of Google on grocery e-commerce in Europe, creating a strong bond between the two companies,”
At the new innovation lab in Paris, Carrefour engineers will work side-by-side with Google Cloud AI experts to co-create new consumer experiences.
Meanwhile, Carrefour will deploy Google Cloud’s G Suite productivity and collaboration solutions (including Gmail, calendar, drive, Hangouts, Docs) to more than 160,000 Carrefour employees.
“This alliance makes Carrefour the first partner of Google on grocery e-commerce in Europe, creating a strong bond between the two companies,” said Alexandre Bompard, CEO of Carrefour.
“It also marks an important step in the new story written by Carrefour since the announcement of the Carrefour 2022 plan. It allows us to accelerate our digital evolution and get a head start in deploying the omni-channel approach we want to offer our customers.”
Sébastien Missoffe, VP and MD of Google France, said shoppers today are saddled with disconnected experiences through the online shopping journey, which often lead to abandoned shopping carts and low customer satisfaction and loyalty.
“Customers want assistive, simple and personalised experiences that help them make decisions on what to buy, assist with easily building baskets across surfaces, and provide a seamless checkout. With Alexandre Bompard and his team, we wanted to explore new distribution models and e-commerce technologies to deliver simple, frictionless and deeply relevant experiences for shoppers in France.”
Carrefour has a network of 12,300 stores across more than 30 countries.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which specific Google technologies will be used in this partnership?
Which specific Google technologies will be used in this partnership?
Google will contribute its technology and skills in AI, cloud computing and new consumer shopping interfaces like the Google Assistant. This includes platforms such as Google Home and a new Google Shopping website.
Q.What is the primary objective of this collaboration between Carrefour and Google?
What is the primary objective of this collaboration between Carrefour and Google?
The common objective is to offer consumers new and innovative commerce experiences in France. This aims to simplify and intuit buying experiences across various channels, including in-store, online, mobile, and voice.
Q.How will Carrefour employees be affected by this partnership?
How will Carrefour employees be affected by this partnership?
Carrefour will deploy Google Cloud’s G Suite productivity and collaboration solutions to more than 160,000 Carrefour employees. This includes tools like Gmail, calendar, drive, Hangouts, and Docs for enhanced internal operations.
Q.In which specific country will the new online shopping initiatives initially be launched?
In which specific country will the new online shopping initiatives initially be launched?
The partnership's initial focus is on France. Users there will be able to shop for groceries through Google platforms by early next year, with items delivered or available for in-store pickup.
Reader pulse
Is this a major shift for Carrefour?
16,951 votes so far