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“Accelerating our AI efforts is a natural step for Kroger, given our long history of leadership in data and machine learning,” Chairman and interim CEO Ron Sargent announced in mid-2025. The company plans to leverage its loyalty program data and data science capabilities based out of its 84.51° division to lay the foundation for its AI efforts. 

On the customer side, Kroger’s data science subsidiary 84.51° expanded its use of AI to enhance personalization, retail media, and marketing. Internally, AI adoption broadened in supply chain and store operations, where predictive analytics and automation helped reduce waste, strengthen inventory controls, and improve on-shelf availability. In e-commerce, Kroger advanced its partnership with Ocado to expand robotic fulfillment centers, embedding AI to optimize order assembly and logistics. Kroger also invested in workforce readiness, rolling out digital HR tools and an AI-powered virtual assistant for store associates to simplify tasks and improve retention.