Loblaw turns to Microsoft for emerging technologies initiative

Loblaw has announced a multi-year partnership with Microsoft as the Canadian food and pharmacy retailer looks to unlock new opportunities with AI, machine learning, data and the cloud.

The two recently worked together to integrate Microsoft’s AI technology within Loblaw’s PC Optimum loyalty programme in order to match member customers with better deals and offers based on their online preferences.

Elsewhere, by leveraging Microsoft’s open source cloud solutions, Loblaw provided its digital teams with a familiar technology toolkit to quickly upskill their employees and build new digital skills across their teams, helping them break down silos, work faster and collaborate in new ways.

“We understood the power of what Microsoft was bringing to the market from an AI perspective,” says David Markwell, Loblaw’s Senior Vice President of Technology. “With the data already collected, but separated into different customer experiences, it made sense to move it all to the cloud and to leverage AI tools to drive results. With AI, I see this democratisation of knowledge and ability to make decisions being moved out into the business units.”

“It’s about this constant evolution, constant education, and constant looking for the next problem to solve that I find exciting. And it’s really what’s going to propel us forward,” he concludes.

Further info here.